Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe

A case study of an irrigation project in Ruti, Zimbabwe, highlighting that while smallholder farmers can increase production and resilience with support, local adaptation efforts must be integrated into wider political and economic frameworks to withstand increasing climate-driven extremes like droughts and intense rainfall.

• A case study of an irrigation project in Ruti, Gutu district, Masvingo province, conducted by Oxfam and the government of Zimbabwe, suggests that while local adaptation is beneficial, it requires a broader political and economic framework to prevent efforts from being frustrated and to ensure people do not lose out.
• Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe have historically experienced extreme weather variability that has ruined livelihoods, increased poverty, and disrupted lives, though appropriate support can enable them to increase production and improve resilience to these extremes.
• Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of weather shocks, specifically through more intense rainfall and more serious and frequent droughts.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2014). Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe. https://cdkn.org/resource/irrigation-schemes-and-weather-extremes-the-challenge-for-zimbabwe

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe. 2014. https://cdkn.org/resource/irrigation-schemes-and-weather-extremes-the-challenge-for-zimbabwe.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe |date=22 September 2014 |url=https://cdkn.org/resource/irrigation-schemes-and-weather-extremes-the-challenge-for-zimbabwe |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2014irrigation, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2014}, month = sep, url = {https://cdkn.org/resource/irrigation-schemes-and-weather-extremes-the-challenge-for-zimbabwe}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }