Tiyani Hahlani

In a decisive move to shield the nation’s economic backbone from the growing shocks of climate change, the Government of Zimbabwe has entered into a major partnership with China to modernise nine strategic irrigation schemes across six provinces.

The agreement was formalised on December 18, 2025, through the signing of letters of exchange between the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, and the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding.

The deal marks a shift from ad hoc assistance to a systemic overhaul of Zimbabwe’s agricultural infrastructure, designed to keep the country’s Vision 2030 targets on course despite recurrent droughts.

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s food security and rural employment. However, escalating water scarcity has rendered rain-fed subsistence farming increasingly risky, underscoring the urgency of expanding irrigation.

Professor Ncube described the agreement as a timely and strategic intervention aligned with the country’s broader agenda of agricultural transformation and rural industrialisation.

“This support from China directly contributes to our national objective of expanding irrigation coverage, which is essential for sustaining consistent food production.

“Irrigation is the backbone of rural industrialisation and community development. Regardless of rainfall patterns, Zimbabwe must be able to produce sufficient food for its people,” said Ncube.

China’s role as a long-term development partner was reinforced by the success of previous rehabilitation projects in areas such as Mutema, Nyanyadzi and Mushandike, where smallholder farmers have transitioned to year-round, market-oriented production.

The newly signed initiative sets out a comprehensive modernisation programme anchored on five interlocking pillars. These include the full upgrading of canals and pumping systems to curb water losses, and the establishment of demonstration villages that will act as training hubs for drip and sprinkler irrigation technologies.

The programme also provides for borehole drilling in drought-prone areas, alongside the supply of critical machinery such as tractors and irrigation kits. To mitigate energy challenges, the deployment of solar-powered systems forms a central component, ensuring uninterrupted and sustainable farming operations even during power shortages.

Beyond infrastructure, the cooperation represents a strategic investment in Zimbabwe’s long-term economic transformation. By strengthening food security and improving rural livelihoods, the programme directly supports the national ambition of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Through this partnership, Zimbabwe is not only adapting to a changing climate but also reinforcing the competitiveness and resilience of its agricultural sector for decades to come.