By Sharon Chimenya
MASVINGO — The country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts continue to bear fruit, with the United Kingdom government pledging its commitment to building community and institutional resilience to climate change.
Through a three-year Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the British Embassy, has set out to support the government in assisting vulnerable communities.
The Gororo irrigation scheme in Ward 28, Chivi District, is the latest community to benefit from CAWEP, which aims to improve the community’s adaptation capacity.
The irrigation development was implemented by the UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe, with £14.1 million in funding from the British Embassy.
In an interview on the sidelines of the commissioning of the scheme last week, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, said the scheme is a unique model and applauded the government’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
“This is a unique project in the sense that community members were not relocated to pave the way for the irrigation development. They are undertaking irrigation at their own households, and we seek to adopt this system in other irrigation schemes,” he said.
“We want to thank the government for its engagement and re-engagement policy, which has enabled the Second Republic, under the leadership of His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to establish strong relationships with many countries in Europe and the East. This has helped to uplift our province and country in terms of agricultural development. Gororo will continue to benefit.”
Sam Thompson, who was standing in for the British Ambassador, Pete Vowles, said the Gororo irrigation scheme fulfils the UK’s commitment to community resilience.
He said the commissioning of the scheme speaks volumes about what can be achieved through partnership, shared vision, and commitment.
“This project is a clear fulfilment of the UK’s commitment to building community and institutional resilience to climate change. As we know, climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and we believe that empowering communities to adapt and thrive is essential for sustainable development,” he said.
“On behalf of the United Kingdom, I reaffirm our dedication to working with Zimbabwe to build a future where communities are empowered, resilient, and thriving despite the challenges of climate change.”
He said the development of the irrigation scheme is a local initiative guided by evidence and science, designed to respond to real challenges faced by farmers in the province.
The project saw the establishment of a 50-hectare irrigation scheme, construction of 30 digesters, and installation of 18 water points, reducing the walking distance from 3 km to 500 metres, as well as the establishment of economic empowerment initiatives.
“This is a perfect example of the kind of modern partnership on climate that we, the British government, aspire to have around the world. We are proud of what UK support has achieved through CAWEP in Chivi, Binga, Insiza, and Chipinge districts, deepening partnerships with the Government of Zimbabwe on clean energy innovation, water and food security, and unlocking climate finance,” he said.