By Andile Tshuma
On the dusty plains of Nyamandlovu in Umguza District, a quiet agricultural revolution is unfolding, led not by large-scale commercial farmers, but by a determined group of communal women and men who have transformed their dry land into a thriving wheat hub.
Under the Phaphamani Irrigation Scheme, twelve farmers, most of them women, are proving that with the right tools, training, and partnerships, smallholder farmers can achieve commercial-scale success.
Once dormant and overgrown, the scheme has come back to life through Government support and assistance from partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC). With revitalised boreholes and a modern centre-pivot irrigation system, the 50-hectare project now stands as a model of resilience and community-driven transformation.
When the Phaphamani scheme was launched in 2000, it brought hope to 120 local villagers who believed irrigation could end hunger in the dry Matabeleland North province. But as donor support waned and infrastructure collapsed, participation dwindled.
Today, thanks to renewed investment under Zimbabwe’s push for food self-sufficiency, Phaphamani has found new life. What was once an abandoned project now produces tonnes of wheat each season, much of it ready for harvest this month.
Chairperson Geshom Dube said the revival has restored not only livelihoods but dignity. “This project has changed our lives. For years, we were dependent on food aid, but now we produce our own grain,” he said. “With the right support, communal farmers can contribute meaningfully to national food security.”
For many of the scheme’s women farmers, the return to the fields represents far more than economic gain, it’s about empowerment.
Mrs Khethi Ncube, one of the founding members, recalls the early days when most people doubted that communal farmers could grow wheat successfully. “When we started, people laughed at us. They said wheat was for big farmers with machinery. But look at us now, we’re not just growing for our families, we’re feeding the nation,” she said proudly.
Through training in irrigation management and agronomy, the women now handle every stage of production, from planting to post-harvest processing. Their increased income has allowed them to pay school fees, improve their homes, and invest in livestock.
UN Women has repeatedly highlighted that empowering women farmers has a multiplier effect on development outcomes. According to the organisation’s 2023 “Women in Food Systems” brief, gender-responsive agricultural support directly contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by raising productivity, improving nutrition, and strengthening resilience.
The Phaphamani success story is the result of coordinated efforts among Government, financial institutions, and development partners.
AFC Managing Director, Ms Priscilla Munyeza, said her institution’s financing model is deliberately inclusive, ensuring that women farmers access affordable credit. “We’ve seen that when women are trusted with resources, they deliver. The farmers here are showing that rural communities can lead Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation,” she said.
AFC has provided both funding and technical support to enhance productivity and ensure that smallholder irrigation schemes like Phaphamani remain viable.
FAO, which has long supported climate-resilient agriculture in Zimbabwe, views Phaphamani as a beacon of possibility. FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Dr Patrice Talla, said investing in smallholder farmers is essential for sustainable food systems. “The Phaphamani farmers have shown that with the right investments, rural communities can contribute to national wheat targets while building resilience to climate change,” he said.
Government officials say the revitalisation of irrigation infrastructure nationwide is a key pillar of the country’s agricultural recovery.
Mr Abraham Mashumba, Director of Business Development in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said Phaphamani’s success demonstrates the importance of coordinated investment in rural areas. “Irrigation is the backbone of sustainable agriculture, especially in dry regions like Matabeleland North. Through public-private partnerships, we are ensuring that communities are food secure all year round,” he said.
He added that schemes like Phaphamani contribute directly to Zimbabwe’s targets under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasises modernising agriculture, empowering women, and achieving inclusive growth.
Beyond boosting yields, the project has made the community more climate-resilient. Farmers are trained in efficient water use and sustainable farming practices to protect soil and conserve natural resources.
Local Agritex officers have also introduced solar-powered water pumps and smart irrigation controls to reduce costs and carbon emissions , aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action).
“Before, we depended on rainfall, and the droughts ruined our crops,” said Ncube. “Now, with irrigation, we plant even in winter. We are confident that whatever happens with the weather, our children will eat.”
The success at Phaphamani is not just a local triumph but a reflection of Zimbabwe’s broader effort to strengthen its food systems. The Government’s Wheat Recovery Strategy aims to make the country self-sufficient in wheat, and the contribution from smallholder irrigation schemes is becoming increasingly significant.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, smallholder farmers now contribute nearly a third of national wheat production — a major milestone considering the sector’s limited resources two decades ago.
For the women of Phaphamani, empowerment extends beyond economics. They are challenging traditional gender roles, participating in leadership, and mentoring younger women in the community.
“Our goal is to make sure every woman here can support her family without waiting for anyone,” said Ncube. “We share knowledge and help each other grow.”
Village leader Headman Makhumalo said women’s involvement has improved governance and accountability at the scheme. “The women bring order and discipline,” he said. “They’ve proven that agriculture isn’t just for men, it’s for anyone with a vision and determination.”
FAO’s Dr Talla said Phaphamani offers a replicable model for rural transformation. “If such models are scaled across districts, Zimbabwe can build a food-secure, climate-resilient, and gender-equal future,” he said.
The approach also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Africa CDC’s “One Health” framework, which promote multi-sectoral collaboration in tackling health, climate, and food system challenges.
In many ways, Phaphamani captures the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
By linking food production to environmental sustainability and gender empowerment, the farmers have created a living example of what inclusive rural development can achieve.
UN Women notes that such initiatives help reduce inequalities and create pathways for women’s participation in decision-making, a cornerstone of achieving the SDGs by 2030.
As the wheat heads turn golden under the Nyamandlovu sun, there’s more than grain growing in the fields; there’s confidence, dignity, and a renewed belief in the power of rural communities to drive Zimbabwe’s agricultural success.
“Phaphamani means ‘Wake up’,” said Dube. “And truly, we have woken up. We have proven that smallholder farmers, especially women, can stand shoulder to shoulder with commercial producers. This is our revolution.”
The story of Phaphamani is a reminder that progress begins where hope is planted. With the right mix of policy, partnership, and persistence, rural women are not only growing crops, they’re growing Zimbabwe’s future.
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