Irrigation schemes and weather extremes: the challenge for Zimbabwe

The case study examines an irrigation project in Ruti, Zimbabwe, implemented by Oxfam and the government. It finds that while local adaptation efforts can significantly increase production and resilience for smallholder farmers, these gains are precarious without a broader supportive political and economic framework, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of droughts and rainfall.

• Local adaptation efforts in the Ruti irrigation project can be effective, but there is a risk that farmers' efforts will be frustrated without a broader supportive political and economic framework.
• Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe have historically dealt with extreme weather variability that ruins livelihoods and increases poverty, though appropriate support can lead to significant production increases and improved resilience.

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} }