Effects of Water Management Practices on Crop Yields at Insukamini Irrigation Scheme, Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe

Mufaro Andrew Matandare, Tatenda Obert Matandare

Abstract: Food security is a top priority concern on the Zimbabwean socio-political agenda. Zimbabwe?s food security is challenged by several physical, socio-political and policy factors, including: population growth; industrialization and urbanization; land and water use changes, water shortage; income changes and nutritional evolution. This paper explores the effects of water management practices on crop yields in smallholder irrigation schemes. CROPWAT was used for data analysis on two convectional cereal crops (maize and sugar beans). Results show that there was a significant difference in the yield of plots with drains and plots without drains for both maize and sugar beans production. This meant that drains had a positive effect on the yields of maize and sugar beans and implies that different water management practices affect crop yields differently. Good drainage practices improved crop yields. The recommended policy action is that food crop farmers on smallholder irrigation schemes should be aided to improve water management of their acreage. The study further recommends that a clear understanding of the issues and trends

Keywords: Water management, Crop production, Irrigation, Drainage, Insukamini irrigation scheme, Zimbabwe