Source: ZINWA urges irrigators to get water abstraction agreements – herald
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer -Agribusiness
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority has advised irrigators to secure water abstraction agreements from the authority for proper water allocations as the 2026 winter cropping season roars into life.
Cabinet recently approved the 2026 Winter Production Plan, which will see the country producing 662 000 tonnes of wheat, 45 500 tonnes of barley and 243 850 tonnes of Irish potatoes.
Winter cropping in Zimbabwe requires irrigation as the season will be dry with no rains.
ZINWA confirmed this in its post on X.
“Winter cropping is underway. All irrigators must secure a water abstraction agreement with ZINWA for proper water allocation.”
ZINWA conducts end of season assessment (water available at end of rainfall season) and demand assessment (stakeholder requirements).
On the basis of this it does allocations and agreements to manage water resources and coordinates dam releases and abstraction monitoring.
ZINWA head of corporate communications and marketing, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga yesterday said the country’s dams held enough water to meet the irrigation water demand.
“Farmers should come forward and sign water abstraction agreements, which allow the authority to reserve water allocations for them in the dams. The authority will apply approved tariffs with A2 farmers paying US$10 per megalitre or one million litres of water, while agricultural estates will pay US$19.35 for the same amount.
“The onus to install meters rests with the water users, in this case the farmers, in accordance with the Water Act. ZINWA urges all farmers who can install waters at their abstraction points to do so,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga said farmers on stop order facility would be required to settle their bills when they receive payments for their harvests with no monthly interest on overdue bills.
“As the season gets into full swing, ZINWA appeals to all farmers with outstanding bills to ensure that their arrears are cleared.
“All other irrigators will be required to pay their bills as they fall due with the exception of farmers on stop order facilities,” she added.
The authority will only release water matching the total allocation for the farmers.
“Farmers are required to instruct the water bailiff on the quantity of water to be released each day, week – within the limits of their allocations,” said ZINWA.
ZINWA encourages farmers to ensure that they have efficient abstraction systems to avoid wastages and to form associations to ensure coordinated releases and irrigation schedules.
Transmission, pipeline and on field water losses should be minimised.
ZINWA monitors water abstractions through water bailiffs and remote sensing (satellite).
“Farmers are encouraged to assist in monitoring abstractions among themselves to curb unsanctioned abstractions and over abstractions.
“There is sufficient water in most dams to cover the requirements of farmers and farmers are be free to register their abstractions,” said ZINWA.
The national dam level as at April 13 stood at 93,4 percent full.
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