AAsssseessssmmeenntt ooff tthheeIImmppaacctt ooff CCyycclloonnee EElliinnee ((FFeebbrruuaarryy 22000000)) oonntthhee FFoooodd,, AAggrriiccuullttuurree aanndd NNaattuurraall RReessoouurrccee

SSeeccttoorr iinn ZZiimmbbaabbwwee

02. – 12 April 2000

By

Agritex-NEWU-Ministry of Agriculture of Zimbabwe

USAID/Famine Early Warning System

World Food Programme Zimbabwe

FAO/Sub-Regional Office for Southern and East Africa

ChiredziMwenezi

Beitbridge

Bulilimamangwe ChipingeMberengwa

ChirumhanzuChimanimani

1

Acknowledgement

All findings and results in the report reflected are discussed and agreed on amongst the teammembers of the two teams conducting the mission. We would like to thank all staff membersof government institutions, NGOs and other organizations on provincial level who supportedus with valuable information and guidance during the assessment. Last but not least wewould like to thank all the affected people and households who reported patiently on lossesand their view of the situation.

The mission was funded by the FAO Sub-Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africaand supported by USAID / FEWS and WFP who supported the mission by funding their ownstaff members.

2

TABLE OF CONTENT1. INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________________5

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT _________________________________6

3. METHODOLOGY ___________________________________________________7

4. BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION _______________________8

4.1 Agro-ecological Zones (Natural Regions)_________________________________8

4.2 Population _______________________________________________________11

5. SUMMARY OF NATIONAL FINDINGS _______________________________13

5.1 Dryland crop situation and damages ___________________________________13

5.2 Livestock ________________________________________________________16

5.3 Food Security_____________________________________________________16

5.4 Forestry and Natural resources _______________________________________18

5.5 Infrastructure Damages_____________________________________________18

5.6 Irrigation schemes and water resources_________________________________19

5.7 Early Warning ____________________________________________________20

5.8 Recommendations _________________________________________________21

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FINDINGS IN THE PROVINCESAND DISTRICTS VISITED ______________________________________________23

6. Manicaland and Midlands ____________________________________________23

6.1 Crop situation and damages ________________________________________23

6.2 Livestock________________________________________________________27

6.3 Irrigation and water resources ______________________________________31

6.4 Natural Resources and Forestry _____________________________________39

6.5 Livelihoods ______________________________________________________40

6.6 Household Food Security and Nutrition_______________________________42

6.7 Health Trend Implications for Nutrition and Water supply _______________56

6.8 Markets and prices________________________________________________58

6.9 Socio-economic Effects ____________________________________________59

6.10 Conlusions for Manicaland and Midlands _____________________________62

6.11 Recommendations For Manicaland and Midlands ______________________63

7 MASVINGO AND MATABELELAND SOUTH __________________________65

7.1 MASVINGO _______________________________________________________65

7.2 CHIREDZI DISTRICT ______________________________________________68

7.3 MWENEZI DISTRICT ______________________________________________73

7.4 MATEBELELAND SOUTH PROVINCE _______________________________77

7.5 BULILIMAMANGWE DISTRICT (Plumtree)____________________________77

7.6 BEITBRIDGE DISTRICT____________________________________________82

3

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Distribution of land over agro-ecological zones ......................................................... 9Table 4.2: Affected population per district .............................................................................. 11Table 4.3: Summary of Districts Visited ................................................................................. 12Table 5.1: Contribution of affected districts to national dryland grain and cotton production. ..... 14Table 5.2: Crop Production Areas Badly* Affected in Hectares ............................................... 14Table 5.3: Production losses in affected areas ......................................................................... 15Table 5.4: Communal Areas Animal Losses due to Cyclone Eline Effects ................................ 16Table 5.5: Coping Mechanisms for Areas Visited.................................................................... 17Table 5.6: No of irrigation schemes affected by the floods ....................................................... 19Table 5.7: Dams damaged in Manicaland and Midlands province............................................. 20Table 6.1.1: Estimated crop production losses in the smallholder farming sector ....................... 23Table 6.1.2: Percentage of total cropped area that was affected by the cyclone. ......................... 24Table 6.1.3: Estimated crop production losses due to cyclone effects. ....................................... 24Table 6.1.4: Estimated crop production losses due to cyclone effects. ....................................... 25Table 6.1.5: Estimated reduction in crop production due cyclone effects................................... 26Table 6.2.1: Average livestock selling prices (US$)................................................................. 28Table 6.2.2: Livestock losses in Manicaland............................................................................ 28Table 6.2.3: Livestock losses in Midlands ............................................................................... 28Table 6.2.4: Infrastructure damaged ....................................................................................... 29Table 6.2.5: Impact on livestock and household....................................................................... 30Table 6.3.1: Details of irrigation schemes damaged in Manicaland province ............................. 33Table 6.3.2: Damaged small earth dams in Manicaland province .............................................. 35Table 6.3.3: Crop damages in irrigation schemes..................................................................... 36Table 6.3.4: Details of irrigation schemes damaged in Midlands province................................. 37Table 6.3.5: Details of dams damaged in Midlands province .................................................... 38Table 6.4.1: Estimate of the total ha damaged for the two districts............................................ 39Table 6.5.1: Crop Production in Districts ................................................................................ 41Table 6.5.2: Sources of Income .............................................................................................. 41Table 6.6.1: The number of granaries destroyed per ward........................................................ 42Table 6.6.2: Coping mechanisms in some of the affected areas ................................................ 49Table 6.7.1: Occurrence of diarrhoea and malaria in Chipinge and Chimanimani....................... 56Table 6.7.2: Percentage of wasted children in most affected wards in Chipinge. ........................ 57Table 6.7.3: Percentage of wasted children in Midlands .......................................................... 58Table 6.8.1: Summary of types of food items sold and their prices in wards visited.................... 58Table 6.9.1: Extent of Damages in Mberengwa and Mvuma..................................................... 61Table 6.9.2: Nature of Infrastructure Damages........................................................................ 61Table 7.1.1: Hectarage and production per crop per District and the Province before floods ....... 66Table 7.1.2: Percentage of crop hectarage to Provincial cropped area ....................................... 66Table 7.1.3: Crop hectarage affected (washed away & waterlogged) per crop per District .......... 67Table 7.1.4: Provincial hectarage and % of waterlogged/washed-away per crop and crop area ... 67Table 7.1.5: Estimated Production per crop per District and the Province after floods ................ 68Table 7.2.1: Affected Wards and villages in Chiredzi district ................................................... 69Table 7.2.2: Affected households and crop areas..................................................................... 69Table 7.2.3: Damages to Irrigation Schemes ........................................................................... 70Table 7.3.1: Population in Mwenezi district and affected people............................................... 73Table 7.3.2: Crop damages and loss in yields .......................................................................... 74Table 7.3.3: The livestock in Mwenezi district ........................................................................ 75Table 7.4.1: Summary of affected people in Matabeleland South .............................................. 77Table 7.4.2: Summary of Livestock and Granary Losses.......................................................... 77Table 7.5.1: Summary of affected population .......................................................................... 78Table 7.6.1: Summary of Affected People in Beitbridge........................................................... 83Table 7.6.2: Summary of Livestock Affected in Beitbridge District .......................................... 84Table 7.6.3: Summary of NGO priority List in accordance with wards ..................................... 85

4

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CC Christian Care

CFU Commercial Farmers Union

CPU Civil Protection Unit

DWD Department of Water Development

EFZ Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe

FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation

FEWS Famine Early Warning System

GLS Grey Leafy Spot

GOZ Government of Zimbabwe

LDS Lutheran Development Service

LTD Livestock Development Trust

NCD New Castle Diseases

NEWU National Early Warning Unit

PSIP Public Sector Investment Programme

RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal

SAFR Sub-regional office for Southern and Eastern Africa

UN United Nations

UNDMT United Nation Disaster Management Team

WFP World Food Programme

WV WorldVision

ZFU Zimbabwe Farmers Union

5

1. INTRODUCTION

From 23 –25 February 2000 Cyclone Eline hit the eastern and southern parts of Zimbabwe.As a result of the cyclone and preceding rainfall these areas received well above normalrainfall for the period. This resulted in extensive damage due to heavy rainfall, strong windsand subsequent flooding. The worst affected areas stretched along the border withMozambique from Mutare in the eastern districts of the country through ChimanimaniMountain range, the Save River valley stretching to the Limpopo River Valley – along theborder with South Africa and Botswana. The areas affected covers the districts of Mutare,Chimanimani and Chipinge in Manicaland Province; Chiredzi, Zaka and Mwenezi districtsin Masvingo Province; Gwanda, Beitbridge, Bulilimamangwe, Insiza, Plumtree andUmzingwane districts in Matabeleland South province and Mberengwa. Zvishavane,Shurugwi and Mvuma districts in Midlands Province.

Since the occurrence of the disaster there has been significant response in terms ofinformation collection on the impact of the cyclone and provision of assistance from theGovernment, Local and International Agencies, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs),civil societies and the private sector. The Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) on 25 February2000 officially declared a state of disaster for the following four affected provinces:Manicaland, Matabeleland South, Midlands and Masvingo. The heads of the United Nations(UN) agencies in Zimbabwe met on 29 February 2000 to deliberate on the damages causedby the cyclone. As a follow up to this meeting, the UN send an assessment team from 1 to 4March, 2000, to Manicaland Province one of the worst affected provinces. To furthercomplement the efforts of government and other institutions the United Nations DisasterManagement Team (UNDMT) sent a team to the field between 7 –21 March to specificallylook at various issues in the affected areas. While the UN was coordinating NGOs anddonors, the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) under the Ministry of LocalGovernment and National Housing was responsible for the coordination of aid distributionand information gathering in government. The CPU has structures both at provincial anddistrict level. GOZ has also been working closely with the local UN Inter- Agency DisasterManagement Team. A UN Inter Agency and NGO National appeal has been prepared and isbeing updated on a monthly basis. Soon after the cyclone, damage to the road infrastructurecompounded by the acute national fuel shortage hampered data and information collection inthe affected areas.

To further determine the medium and long term strategy to mitigate the impact of thedisaster, a joint mission with specialists from the Department of Agricultural, Technical andExtension Services (AGRITEX), National Early Warning Unit (NEWU), Famine EarlyWarning Systems Project (FEWS), World Food Program (WFP) and Food and AgricultureOrganization Sub-Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa (FAO/SAFR) went intothe field from 02 – 12 April 2000 to assess and verify the damages and the most urgent needswith regard to the food, agriculture and natural resources sector. This report covers thefindings and recommendations of this mission

6

Map 1: Rural District Councils and Provinces

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT

The main objective of the joint AGRITEX, NEWU, FEWS WFP and FAO/SAFR missionwas to carry out a detailed assessment of the flood damages on the food, agriculture andnatural resources sector. A detailed assessment in the food and agricultural sector wasnecessary to determine the immediate, medium and long-term needs necessary for therecovery of the farming community. This assessment was complimentary to similarinitiatives undertaken by government institutions, NGOs, civil society, private sector andteams from the respective UN agencies. The assessment will build on the on going UNassistance to the government in preparing an Emergency Appeal document aimed atformulating a long term recovery and rehabilitation plan.

The assessment looked at all aspects of the food, agriculture and natural resources sector. Itcovered losses to staple food, cash crops, food stocks and livestock production, losses ofand/or damage to agricultural equipment and irrigation infrastructure, losses of assets andother sources of income (including off farm). The assessment also examined the impact offloods on food security and nutrition situation at community and household level.

The detailed terms of reference for the mission are attached in Appendix I

7

3. METHODOLOGY

The assessment was carried out by a multidisciplinary mission from 02 – 12 April 2000. Themission was composed of subject matter specialists from various local institutions. Themission was divided into two teams1. Team I visited Chiredzi and Mwenezi districts inMasvingo province; Beitbridge and Plumtree districts in Matabeleland South province. TheAGRITEX Provincial Irrigation Specialist for each of the two provinces accompanied TeamI in their visits and assisted in assessing damages on the irrigation and water resources subsector. Team II visited: Chipinge and Chimanimani districts in Manicaland province andMberengwa and Mvuma districts in Midlands province. The itineraries of the two teams areshown in Appendix V.

The assessment reviewed and analyzed all available secondary information on the impact ofthe Cyclone Eline on the food, agriculture and natural resources made available at national,provincial, district and ward level. During the visits, consultations using a rapid RuralAppraisal (RRA) techniques were made with relevant government institutions, localauthorities, farmers, NGOs, international organizations and the private sector as keyinformants (see Appendix II for checklist used). The RRA in some of the affected areas wasused to verify some of the information, appreciate the conditions and damages. During thevisits, discussions were carried out with some of the affected households. It is important tonote that information collected from the farmer interviews are just examples and notrepresentative of the whole provinces assessed. The list of people consulted by the missionin the different provinces is given in Appendix VI.

It should be noted that this assessment was done as an emergency in order to identify theurgent needs of the victims, hence only preliminary data and estimates of conditions wascollected. The information for the food and agriculture sector will need to be continuouslyupdated, as some areas affected were still not accessible due to damaged infrastructure likeroads, bridges and telecommunication facilities. The quality of data collected by the missionreflects the situation at the time of data collection. The assessment did not in any way try toaccurately quantify the household food security and nutrition conditions, hence figurespresented in this report should be taken only as indicative.

1 Team I: J. Mupangwa, Livestock Specialist (AGRITEX); E. Vhurumuku, Food Security Specialist (FEWS);S. Denhere, Nutrionist/Food Security Specialist (WFP); O. Svubure, Agronomist (AGRITEX)

Team II: I. Tarakidzwa, Food Security Specialist (NEWU/Zimbabwe Meteorological Services); V. Mutikani,Agronomist (NEWU/AGRITEX); M. Chimowa, Livestock Specialist (AGRITEX); K. Mudima, IrrigationSpecialist ( AGRITEX); M. Chimbira, Sociologist (AGRITEX); M. Lieberum, Nutrionist (FAO-SAFR); A.Graham, International Consultant - Emergency Operations (FAO/TCOR)

8

4. BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION

4.1 Agro-ecological Zones (Natural Regions)

Zimbabwe is divided into five agro-ecological regions. Chipinge and Chimanimani inManicaland province have all the five regions in varying sizes, while Mberengwa andMvuma in Midlands province; Mwenezi and Chiredzi in Masvingo province have agro-ecological zones III to V. The six districts in Matabeleland South province are also made upof Natural Regions III to V. The main characteristics of the agro-ecological zones are givenin Box I below.

Box I: Main Agro-ecological Regions in Zimbabwe.

Natural Region I: It is characterized by high altitude, cool temperatures with average annual temperaturesnormally below 15oC, and high, reliable rainfall of over 1 000 mm. It is intensively used for dairy farming,forestry, tea, coffee, fruit farming, vegetables and in the valleys, maize. 24% of the communal farmland falls inthis region.

Natural Region II: It is intensively cropped farmland, which receives on average 700 – 1 000 mm of rainfallannually. Areas that fall within this region are ideal for rainfed agriculture with the main crops being maize,tobacco, vegetables, winter wheat and cotton. 22% of the communal farm areas falls in Natural Region II.

Natural Region III: Climatic conditions favor semi-intensive agriculture. Annual rainfall ranges from 650 to800 mm, mostly in the form of infrequent heavy storms. Severe mid-season dry spells are common and, as aresult, good farm management is required to retain moisture during the growing season. Rainfed cultivation ofdrought-resistant crops such as cotton, soya beans, pearl millet and sorghum is ideal. Water storage andirrigation are needed for other crops. It accounts for 43% of communal land.

Natural Region IV: This hot, lower -lying land, is subject to seasonal drought and has a mean annual rainfallof 450 to 650 mm with periodic seasonal droughts and severe dry spells during the rainy season. Suited tosemi-intensive animal husbandry, it is marginal for rainfed maize cultivation. There is a high proportion (62%)of communal land.

Natural Region V: Without irrigation, this very hot, low-lying zone, with less than 450 mm annual rainfall, issuitable only for extensive animal husbandry. 45% is occupied by communal land.

Sources: Gore et al (eds.) 1992, Hopes 1996, Ministry of Lands: Agriculture and Rural Resettlement 1989

The agro-ecological zones generally determine the agro-economic activity and land usepattern. Most of the communal areas are in the drier natural regions, and given the poorresource base and the poor soils, agricultural production in these areas tend to be low underdryland conditions. Map 2 and Table 4.1 show the distribution of land over the five naturalregions in the areas affected.

9

Map 2: Agro-ecological Zones of Zimbabwe

Table 4.1: Distribution of land over agro-ecological zonesNatural Region I II III IV V TotalManicaland (ha) 680 560 63 842 745 818 835 124 810 261 3 135 605

(%) 21.7 2 23.7 26.6 25.8 100Chipinge (ha) 165 795 21 359 40 953 128 145 183 051 539 303

(%) 30.7 4 7.6 23.8 33.9 100Chimanimani (ha) 175 637 54 387 39 316 42 386 33 486 345 014

(%) 50.9 15.7 11.4 12.3 9.7 100Midlands (ha) - - 2 587 786 1 861 078 467 736 4 916 600

(%) 52.6 37.8 9.5 100Mberengwa (ha) - - 4 424.1 251 608.2 258 398.69 524 000

(%) - - 1 49 50 100Mvuma (ha) - - 413 203 45 917 - 459 120

(%) - - 90 10 - 100Masvingo (ha) - - 620 319 1 553 515 3 482 766 5 656 600

(%) 10.9 27.4 61.6 100Matabeleland South (ha) 4 000 2 544 828 2 868 372 5 417 200

(%) 0.07 47 52.9 100National Total (ha) 680 560 5 948 243 7 292 367 15 563 787 9 590 743 39 075 700

(%) 1.74 15.23 18.66 39.83 24.54 100Source: Agritex

Agricultural potential for Chipinge and Chimanimani is diverse: ranging from semi-intensiveto extensive animal husbandry, rainfed cultivation to intensive dairy farming, tea, coffee,fruit farming, vegetables, and in the valleys maize. In the remaining districts, the land haspotential for semi-intensive to extensive animal husbandry supported by dryland cropproduction.

Bulawayo

Midlands

Matabeleland South

Matabeleland North

Mashonaland West

Manicaland

Masvingo

Mashonaland Central

Mashonaland EastHarare

2B3

4

5

352A

5

32B1

12A1

2A5

Commercial Areas

Communal Areas

Natinal Parks

Provincial Boundary

Agro-Ecological Zone (eg 2)

10

4.1.1 Soil Types

Most of the affected communal areas have granite derived sandy soils, which are inherentlypoor in nitrogen. Chipinge and Chimanimani have a mixture of soil types distributed overthe districts. These soil types offer a range of agricultural potential. The highlands inChimanimani and Chipinge, which are mainly in natural region I are characterized by deeploamy soils which are not easily eroded, while valleys which are mainly in natural regionsIV and V have sand to sandy loams. Irrigation schemes have mainly sandy loams due todeposition. In most of Matabeleland South Midlands and Masvingo provinces, thepredominant soil type is sand to sandy loams. The sands are strongly leached, with poorwater holding capacity. The sandy loams are susceptible to water logging.

4.1.2 Climate

The altitude for Chimanimani and Chipinge districts is between 300 to 1 000 meters abovesea level and all the agro-ecological regions can be found in these districts. Annual rainfallranges between 450 mm to 1 000 mm depending on the natural region. Mvuma district is inagro-ecological region III with an annual rainfall of 650 to 800mm characterized by commonmid -season dry spells. Mberengwa, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Plumtree and Beitbridge districtsare made up of agro- ecological regions IV to V. These are some of the arid districts inZimbabwe where rainfall is low and erratic with a total annual mean of 450mm. However,the recorded average rainfall in these districts from mid November 1999 to April 2000 was942mm which was well above normal. Areas such as Mvuma in natural region III alsoreceived rainfall well above 1000 mm in the 1999/2000 season. Map 3 shows the cumulative1999/2000 rainfall totals and percentage of normal.

Map 3: Cumulative total and percentage of normal Rainfall: 01/10/99 to 01/04/2000

11

4.2 Population

On average, there are 6 villages in each ward in the affected areas. Each administrativevillage carries about 100 households. The household size differs among the affected areas. InManicaland on average 6 people live in a household. In Midlands, Masvingo andMatabeleland South provinces, the average household size is about 7-8 members.

In Chimanimani district a larger number of women (3496) were directly affected than men(2587). This was partly attributed to men seeking off farm employment and an increasedmortality rate among men. In Matabeleland South province, the situation was similarbecause of a lot of cross border employment to South Africa and Botswana. Table 4.2 showsthe affected population per district.

Table 4.2: Affected population per district

PROVINCE DISTRICT POPULATION POPULATIONTOTAL (Est.) AFFECTED (Est.)

Masvingo Chiredzi 25818 4424Mwenezi 131 936 5904

Matabeleland South Beitbridge 96451 46800Bulilimamangwe 203 573 27489

Manicaland Chimanimani 143 588 6083Chipinge 372 846 25 284

Midlands Mberengwa 217 300 86 916Mvuma 86 767 15 000

National 10 412 548Total for Affected Districts 1 278 279 217 900Percent of national 12.3 2.1

12

4.2.1 Wards Affected by Floods

Overall, the cyclone had a devastating effect on infrastructure such as roads, bridges,irrigation schemes, dams, electricity and telephone lines in the districts declared as disasterareas by Government. The affected districts are; Beitbridge, Plumtree, Bulilimamangwe,Gwanda, Matopo, Umzingwane and Insiza districts in Matabeleland South province;Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts in Masvingo province, Chimanimani, Mutare, Mutasa andChipinge districts in Manicaland province; and Mberengwa, Gweru, Zvishavane, Shurugwiand Mvuma districts in Midlands province. However, as far as impact on food security andagriculture is concerned, the cyclone had the greatest impact in Chiredzi, Beitbridge,Chipinge and Chimanimani districts. For the first three districts crop flooding, washing awayand water logging was reported, with livestock being either drowned or washed away. InChimanimani district, there was destruction of crops and timber by strong winds and rainfall.

In the remainder of the districts, the major damage was on infrastructure particularlyhomesteads. There was minimal damage to crops and this was mainly through water loggingand excessive leaching. Table 4.3 summarizes the districts and wards, which were affectedby the cyclone and were visited by the assessment team.

Table 4.0.3: Summary of Districts Visited

PROVINCE DISTRICT COMMUNAL AREAS WARDS MAJOR EFFECTMasvingo Chiredzi Sengwe 15, 13 and 14 a) Crop wash away

b) Damage to irrigation infrastructurec) Direct Livestock Losses

Mwenezi Maranda 9, 11 and 12 a) Water loggingb) Indirect Livestock Losses

Matibi 1 1, 3 and 4 a) Water loggingb) Indirect Livestock Losses

MatabelelandSouth

Beitbridge Chipise 1 a) Crop wash away

Mtetengwe 4, 5 and 6 b) Flooding of crops and rottingDiti 2 and 3 c) WaterloggingMaramani 8 d) Damage to irrigation infrastructureRiver RanchResettlement

14 e) Direct Livestock Losses

Bulilimamangwe Ramakwebana a) Water loggingMaphoengs b) Indirect Livestock LossesRaditladiSemukweNgulubeBrunapegDombodema Resettlement Scheme

Manicaland Chipinge Musikavanhu 16 – 18 a) Crop wash away20 – 30 b) Flooding of crops and rottingChipinge ICA c) WaterloggingChipangayi ICA d) Damage to irrigation infrastructureSabi SSCFA e) Direct Livestock LossesTamandayi SSCFAChinyaduma SSCFA

Chimanimani Nyanyadzi irrigationNgorima A (NR I) a) WaterloggingShinja Resettlement(II/III)

b) Damage to irrigation infrastructure

Ngorima B (NRI) c) In direct Livestock LossesBumba 7A d) Damage to strong windsBumba 7BChakohwaChikukwa

13

PROVINCE DISTRICT COMMUNAL AREAS WARDS MAJOR EFFECTMhandarumeNyanyadzi (dry land)

Midlands Mberengwa Mberengwa Mushandirapamwe a) Crop wash awayBaradzanwa, Mataga b) Damage to irrigation infrastructureMahlebadza, Chizungu c) In direct Livestock LossesDanga, ChebvuteBangkwe, Mataruse BIand BIIZvomukonde, NegoveWanezi Resettlement

Mvuma Mvuma Mapirawana a) Water loggingChizhou b) Indirect Livestock LossesTatongaTakawira ResettlementCharanduraChinyuniMhende

5. SUMMARY OF NATIONAL FINDINGS

The severe weather conditions and subsequent flooding caused serious damage to the foodand agriculture sector, the country’s infrastructure including roads, bridges and utility lines.The floods destroyed the livelihoods of a great number of people. The government’s estimateof the agriculture dependent people who were affected by the flooding is 250 000 in the fourprovinces. The UN team in the country estimated the number of people requiring emergencyassistance for food, shelter and clothing as 96 000. This mission estimated the number ofaffected people who need assistance in the medium to long term as 217 900 in all the fourprovinces. This figure is a sum total of the visited districts.

5.1 Dryland crop situation and damages

Most of the dryland crops were affected by the cyclone by washing away and submergenceof crops, root and stem lodging; water-logging and leaching of soil nutrients. Crops alongriverbanks and in low-lying areas were affected most by flooding and water-logging whilesoil nutrient leaching was quite pronounced on the lighter sandy soils.

In all the affected provinces, the incessant rains due to the cyclone caused crop lodging,water logging and leaching of soil nutrients. This resulted in a reduction of crop yields by upto an estimated 60% in some areas. The continuously wet conditions also caused poor grainformation and hampered farm operations such as weeding, chemical spraying andharvesting. Incidences of Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) increased and it was the late planted maizecrop that was most affected. Although the disease has always been observed in parts ofChimanimani district, this season it was observed in areas that do not usually experienceGLS. Poor cotton lint quality, maize cob rots, tobacco barn rots, sprouting of groundnuts andother grains were some of the problems. The overall effect of the cyclone on the crops waseither massive reductions in yields or complete crop losses. For households dependant onfield crop production, income levels will definitely be lower than average.

Some households lost farm implements such as hoes and shovels to the floods. Significantsoil erosion was experienced and conservation structures such as contour ridges and Vetivargrass strips, grown for soil conservation purposes, were destroyed. Some fields nearriverbanks were washed away and siltation of rivers was quite significant. This is likely tocause seasonal flooding in subsequent years.

14

Tables 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 summarise information on the damages by the cyclone to the cropproduction sub sector.

Table 5.1: Contribution of affected districts to national dryland grain and cottonproduction for the area sector (based on the 1990’s average production levels).

District % Contribution To National Production.Maize *Small Grains ** All Grain Cotton

Chipinge 0.9 1.0 1.4 2.6Chimanimani 0.8 1.0 0.8 0.0Mberengwa 1.4 6.0 0.9 0.0Mvuma 1.2 0.9 1.1 0.0Beitbridge 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.0Bulilimamangwe 0.0 1.5 0.1 0.0Chiredzi 0.2 5.2 0.7 0.0Mwenezi 1.9 1.0 1.8 0.0Total (all 8 districts) 6.4 17.3 6.9 2.6

Source : NEWU / FEWS* Small grains refer to sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet.**All grain refers to maize, sorghum and millets

Table 5.2: Crop Production Areas Badly* Affected in Hectares

Maize Sorghum Millets Groundnuts

S.Flower Cotton Beans Total

Manicaland 7040 2208 719 45 5 4372 0 23 101Chipinge 930 33 0 4.5 5 0 0 9,72.5

Chimanimani 6,110 2,175 719 0 0 4,372 0 13,376Midlands 11956 787 3826 1612 486 1060 15 19442

Mvuma 5,054 15 550 722 215 32 15 6,603Mberengwa 6,902 772 2,976 890 271 1,028 0 12,839

Masvingo 11973 8344 3373 4821 97 3709 0 32317Chiredzi 4,173 4,744 373 445 97 869 0 10,701Mwenezi 7,800 3,600 3,000 4,376 0 2,840 0 21,616

Mat. South 17634 12300 7947 0 0 0 0 37881Beitbridge 15,120 12,300 7,947 0 0 0 0 35,367

Bulilimamangwe 2,514 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,514Total: Most 48,603 19,139 15,865 6,478 234 9,375 15 122,116Total: National 172,3611 48,865 43,673 34,906 3,475 34,014 6,766 344,060Total Nationalplanted**

935,727 112,082 157319 155,792 16,438 177,782 13,769 1,569,509

% Most FloodAffected Areas

3.5 17,8 7.6 0.9 2.3 3.5 0 4.7

*Note that these figures give only the badly affected areas, either by complete wash aways or flooding orsevere waterlogging. More details on the affected areas are in the district reports**Communal areas

15

Table 5.3: Production losses in affected areasDistrict Crop type Total area (ha) Expected production

before cycloneExpected productionafter cyclone

Loss in %

Chimanimani Maize 12764 22975 14040 39Sorghum 3624 3624 1630 55Pearlmillet 768 691 384 45Cotton 124 223 124 45Rapoko 178 160 89 45Sunflower 277 166 831 50Groundnut 499 598 399 33Ediblebeans

810 810 486 40

Chipinge Maize 24479 36718 24479 33Sorghum 8703 8703 4351 50Mhunga 2897 2897 1448 50Sunflower 525 525 210 60Cotton 17697 35394 17697 50BurleyTobacco

21 42 21 50

Mberengwa Maize 23008 41414 23008 40Sorghum 3089 4633 1853 60Mhunga 5343 4808 2137 56Rapoko 5716 5716 4000 30Groundnut 8904 13356 8013 40Sunflower 457 365 182 50Cotton 2055 2466 1644 34

Mvuma Maize 12634 8843 5033 43Mhunga 230 69 46 33Sorghum 42 17 12 25Rapoko 1527 610 458 25Groundnut 2888 2599 2021 22Sunflower 539 269 161 40Ediblebeans

41 12 8 32

Cotton 107 107 75 33Mwenezi Maize 14213 8527 4263 50

Sorghum 12300 6150 2706 44Mhunga 10234 4298 1023 24Rapoko 436 152 43 28Groundnut 7957 10741 1050 10Cotton 5153 * 3607 *Sunflower 1433 * * *Beans 450 135 * *

Bulilimamangwe** Maize 8015 6354 3006 53Sorghum 7169 3695 2082 44Mhunga 8783 5233 2887 45Groundnuts

1283 473 342 28

EdibleBeans

493 126 77 39

Beitbridge*Chiredzi Maize 108252 75591 37841 50

Sorghum 14015 8409 5232 38Mhunga 802 64 31 52Rapoko 128 76.8 28 64Groundnuts

1278 694.8 127 82

* Data not available** Data from most affected Agritex working zones only

16

5.2 Livestock

Over 2,000 cattle, 13,000 goats and sheep, 16,000 chickens, ducks and turkeys and 1,000donkeys were either washed away or died due to the effects of the cyclone in all provinces(see Table 5.4 below). The affected people had not anticipated the magnitude of the floodsand did not have adequate time to move their animals to higher ground. The classes oflivestock affected were cattle, goats, donkeys, sheep, pigs and poultry. Total livestock lossesin Manicaland and Midlands amounted to about US$95,500. The estimated livestock lossesin Masvingo and Matabeleland South were estimated at US$658,000, giving the estimatedlivestock loss of US$753,500. Though the losses seem to be small compared to the districtand national totals, in most cases the affected household lost all their livestock.

Table 5.4: Communal Areas Animal Losses due to Cyclone Eline Effects

PROVINCE DISTRICT CATTLE (Estimate) SHEEP/GOATS (est.) DONKEYS (est.) FOWLSTOTAL DEATHS TOTAL DEATHS TOTAL DEATHS DEATHS

Masvingo Chiredzi 49,122 12 120,925 118 3,552 2 518Mwenezi 34,289 13 48,309 209 7,631 38 167

Mat. South Beitbridge 60,214 222 139,289 5,636 19,215 165 10,299Bulilimamangwe 81,905 20 224,366 1,461 40,688 150Matobo 28,932 3 100,309 30 16,329 0Umzingwane 27,132 8 19,029 20 3,164 4Gwanda 135,660 1,500 421,863 2,922 58,864 597Insiza 40,510 163 49,231 1,286 6,462 102

Manicaland Chipinge 44,366 85 56,414 262 3,138 7 342Chimanimani 21,243 189 28,312 1,156 824 78 4,994

Midlands Mberengwa 80,580 24 54,893 49 10,941 37Total Affected Areas 603,953 2,239 1,262,940 13,149 170,808 1,180 16,320Estimated National Total 3,494,744 0.4% 3,167,705 1.0% 337,114 0.7%

Livestock infrastructure, including kraals, dip tanks, cattle fences and holding pens wasdamaged. This damage was estimated at US$ 29 000 for Manicaland and Midlandsprovinces. In all the four affected provinces, the extended rainy season increased incidencesof tick-borne diseases such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Cowdriosis and Theileriosis. Otherdiseases reported were Ephemeral fever, Foot-rot, Lumpy Skin Disease, Black leg andAnthrax. The common poultry diseases were Newcastle and Fowlpox.

On the positive side, the floods brought about lush and good grazing to the affected areas.However, grazing riparian to flooded rivers was washed away.

5.3 Food Security

Food Security is a condition in which a population has physical, social and economic accessto sufficient safe and nutritious food over a given period to meet dietary needs andpreferences for an active and healthy life. A food-secure population can meet itsconsumption needs in the given consumption period using income derived from strategiesthat do not compromise future food security. From this definition, food security in theaffected areas ranges from severe for some households who lost their crops, livestock andcoping mechanisms to good were the floods did not damage the major coping mechanisms.Following the floods, some households lost all their grain stocks, livestock and crops due towash aways, such households heavily depended on relief from NGOs and food handoutsfrom friends and relatives. The immediate threat to food insecurity was however avoided asNGOs such as Red Cross, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, Freedom from HungerCampaign, ORAP and Lutheran World Federation, the Private sector and Governmentdistributed the immediate requirements in form of food and tents to the victims. However,

17

from May 2000 when the food distribution exercise comes to an end, the affected householdsare likely to be food insecure and targeting of any relief efforts should be towards this group.

5.3.2 Coping Mechanism

Generally, most of the affected areas do not rely entirely on crop production for theirlivelihoods, as they do not produce enough food for own consumption even in good rainfallseasons. There are various coping mechanisms in each district as indicated on Table 5.5below.

Table 5.5: Coping Mechanisms for Areas Visited

PROVINCE Area visited COPING STRATEGYChimanimani • Hiring out of labor to Timber estates and to

households with a larger asset base,• Remittances,• Selling fruits,• Vegetable Gardens,• Selling livestock• Reduction of number of meals per day.

MANICALAND

Chipinge • Selling livestock,• Hiring out of labor to ARDA Estates and to

households with a large asset base,• Remittances• Reduction of number of meals per day

Mwenezi • Selling of livestock• Hiring out labour to other farmers for cotton picking

and on large-scale commercial farming area.• Income from cotton and irrigation crops

MASVINGO

Chiredzi • Selling of livestock• Hiring out labour to other farmers for cotton picking

and on large-scale commercial farming area.• Reduction of number of meals per day

Beitbridge • Selling livestock,• Hiring out of labor to farms in South Africa and

within Zimbabwe• Remittances• Reduction of number of meals per day

MATEBELALAND SOUTH

Bulilimamangwe • Selling livestock,• Hiring out of labor to ARDA Estates and to

Botswana and South Africa• Remittances• Sale of Mopani worms• Reduction of number of meals per day

Mberengwa • Moving in with relatives or other communitymembers.

• Farmers assisting each other by identifying theneeds of the most affected and providing help,

• Hiring out of labor to households with a large assetbase,

• Remittances

MIDLANDS

Mvuma • Hiring out of labor to households with a large assetbase,

• Remittances,• Reduction of number of meals per day.

18

5.3.2 General levels of threats to the households food security situation observed

Ø Loss of crops by floods; complete wash ‘aways’, water logging and nutrient leachingØ Damage to crops by pestsØ Loss of granaries causing food stock losses and post harvest losses and losses due to

poor storage facilitiesØ Loss of livestock and therefore loss of coping mechanism based on livestock sales.Ø Large-scale commercial farms have also been affected reducing the chances of hiring out

labor into these farms.Ø Loss of income from fruit sales due to damage to infrastructure.Ø High vegetable and food prices making affordability impossible.Ø Reduced market prices of livestock due to depressed markets and few buyersØ Loss of homes and toilets.Ø Reduced harvest of mopani worms due to too much rains and hence reduced earningsØ Deportation of people illegally crossing into South Africa has threatened remittances

from this source.

5.4 Forestry and Natural resources

The major damage on forestry occurred in Manicaland province where an estimated 3340hectares timber area was damaged. The total cost for this damage was put at around US$10million. According to the Timber Producers Association, the damage to timber by thecyclone in the whole Manicaland province was equivalent to a year’s harvest. InChimanimani district, the damage was uprooting of trees with several plantations beingflattened. In Chipinge district, mainly young trees were destroyed. In the two districts accessroads for timber harvesting and transportation were rendered inaccessible and bridges wereeither damaged or washed away. There was also power failure, which led to the closure ofsawmills. In Beitbridge district, trees along riverbanks were uprooted, while in Masvingoand Midlands provinces no damage to the forestry industry was reported.

Significant soil erosion was experienced in some areas. This resulted in the washing away oftopsoil and formation of gullies on landscapes. Conservation structures such as contourridges and Vetivar grass strips were destroyed. Fields near rivers were eroded resulting in thesiltation of rivers. Quantities and cost estimates on the damages to conservation structureswere difficult to come up with at the time of assessment.

5.5 Infrastructure Damages

The cyclone destroyed infrastructure in the provinces. The destruction was on bridges, roads,clinics, schools, homesteads, granaries, telecommunications lines, power lines, and livestockinfrastructure, dams and irrigation infrastructure.

The damage to roads and bridges had a major socio economic impact in all four affectedprovinces. Access to markets both for inputs and outputs were denied due to the damagedroads. Employment and access to clinics and schools by the people was also affected eitherbecause the access roads were damaged or the actual schools and clinics were destroyed.There was lack of equipment and drugs in health centres and teaching aids in schools.

19

Livestock infrastructure, which included kraals, dip tanks cattle fences and holding penswere damaged in all four provinces. About 4 kilometers of cattle fencing was damaged inManicaland province. Approximately 2 km was in Chimanimani and the remainder inChipinge district. Six dip tanks were reported damaged in Midlands province all dip tanksbeing located in Mberengwa district. The numbers of different livestock infrastructuredamaged in Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces were not available at the time ofassessment.

5.6 Irrigation schemes and water resources

In the four provinces Manicaland, Midlands, Masvingo and Matabeleland South, CycloneEline and the subsequent flooding damaged 33 irrigation schemes covering a total area of4230ha. The extent of damage varied from scheme to scheme. The damage to the irrigationschemes was two fold, damage was done to irrigation infrastructure (dams, weirs, intakestructures, pumping stations, canals, distribution structures, pipes and irrigation plots) anddamage was also done to crops in irrigation schemes either through complete erosion orwater logging and excessive leaching. Table 5.6 summarises the damage to irrigationschemes on a district by district basis. The affected irrigation schemes are not operationaleither in whole or in part due to damaged infrastructure. Rehabilitation of the damagedirrigation schemes will require an estimated US$ 2 042 047. This cost assumes that farmerswill contribute their unskilled labour and will supply all locally available materials like riversand and aggregates for any concrete works. AGRITEX and DWD will offer their technicalservices during rehabilitation as part of the government’s contribution.

Table 5.6: No of irrigation schemes affected by the floods

Province District No. ofirrigationschemesdamaged

Areaaffected

(ha)

No. ofplot

holders

Estimated cost ofrehabilitation

US$

Mutare 1 46 46 25 894Chimanimani 3 825 759 420 584Chipinge 4 1648 1512 412 069

Manicaland

Buhera 2 525 912 7 500Mberengwa 1 64 128 40 000Mvuma 1 92 92 6 000Zvishavane 1 5 25 4 000

Midlands

Gweru 2 117 420 83 000Chiredzi 10 443 1833 93 000MasvingoZaka 2 80 160 50 000Beitbridge 6 385 493 900 000Matabeleland

SouthTOTAL 33 4230 6380 2 042 047

In Manicaland province, 13 dams were reported damaged while in Midlands province 15dams were damaged. Information on the damages to dams in Masvingo and Matabelelandprovinces was not available at the time of assessment. Table 5.7 summarises the damsdamaged in Manicaland and Midlands.

Damage to small earth dams varied from complete wash away, breaching of the dam walland complete siltation. The cost of rehabilitation for the dams in Manicaland and Midlands isestimated to be US$ 474 500 excluding the costs of repairing Mundi Mataga dam inMidlands. Information obtained from Department of Water Development (DWD) indicatethat the large Mundi Mataga dam will require about US$ 125 0000 for repairs

20

Table 5.7: Dams damaged in Manicaland and Midlands province

Province District No. of damsdamaged

Estimated cost ofrehabilitation US$

Chimanimani 11 242 000ManicalandChipinge 2 44 000Mberengwa 1* 12 500 000Mberengwa 8 119 500MidlandsMvuma 6 69 000TOTAL 12 974 500

*: Large dam (Monti Mataga)

5.7 Early Warning

Seasonal forecast information issued in December 1999, in Harare, predicted highprobabilities of normal to above-normal rainfall conditions over much of southern Africa(including Zimbabwe) during the period January - March 2000. This turned out to be true formost parts of Zimbabwe as well as for other countries. During the course of the season theZimbabwe Meteorological Services continued to issue out monthly and ten-day rainfallupdates. On the 15th February 2000, the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services announced themovement of the tropical Cyclone Eline from the east of Madagascar into the Mozambiquechannel. It warned of the possibility of flooding along the Eastern Highlands and thesoutheastern areas of the country. The information was disseminated through newspapers,the radio, and television and in meetings held with the Civil Protection Unit in Harare.

Responses regarding Early Warning Information concerning the Tropical Cyclone Elineobtained from the interviewees in all eight districts indicated that the main recipients of theinformation were:• Civil Protection Unit (CPU)• Agricultural Extension Services (Agritex)• Farmer organizations (ZFU, CFU etc)• Commercial and communal farmers

The interviewees received the early warning information through either the Radio,Television, Newspapers, verbal discussions with others. In Beitbridge district pamphletsconcerning the cyclone were distributed in selected wards, just one or two days before theonset of the cyclone. In Mwenezi and Bulilimamangwe no early warning messages weredistributed. The majority of the recipients did not know what measures to put in place anddid not take the warning seriously. The concept of a “Cyclone” was very abstract since noneof the authorities and farmers had experienced this type of disaster before.

However, some National Parks in the South made use of the information and moved gameanimals from low-lying areas to higher ground. Some commercial farmers moved theirassets to safe places. Most of the communal farmers in Manicaland did not receive theinformation and were caught unaware. Those communal farmers who received theinformation did not know what to do and were advised to remain in doors.

21

Useful Early Warning information should be accompanied by optional strategic plans andactions to guide people’s responses. Some of the problems that contributed to the lack ofpreparedness are:

1. Information dissemination lacked coverage and adequate advice.2. Possible multiple option response mechanisms were not well known.3. Inadequate flood mitigation measures.4. Timeliness of advice and understanding of risks.5. Inappropriate reaction measures.6. Lack of contingency arrangements.

5.8 Recommendations

In view of the findings of the mission the following overall recommendations can be given.These can be divided into immediate and medium to long term recommendations.

5.8.1 Immediate recommendations

• Food relief programs should be put in place until the next harvest. Food for workprogrammes are recommended as measures to provide food aid and reconstructinfrastructure must be implemented in the affected areas;

• Maize seed is required by farmers to plant in flood plains before June such as along theLimpopo River as water recedes to normal flow in Ward 13 in Chiredzi district;

• Provide households with timber, cement blocks and asbestos roofing sheets to minimisedeforestation;

• The repair of roads, bridges and other infrastructure must be given high priority tofacilitate the access of affected population to social services like clinics and schools andmarketing of remaining crops and fruits in particular in the districts of Chipinge andChimanimani;

• Provide the affected households with agricultural inputs for the next 2000/2201 growingseason to enable their quick agricultural recovery. The timeliness of delivery, propertargeting of the beneficiaries and the appropriateness of the packs to the agro- ecologicalregions affected must be ensured. AGRITEX and ZFU have experience in this field andthey are capable of assisting in the distribution of the packs;

• In those areas like Chipinge and Chimanimani where fruit tress were destroyed provisionof young fruit trees adapted to the affected areas;

• Provision of livestock drugs and vaccines to the affected areas to combat the increasedincidence of diseases which have been brought about by the excessive rains;

• For those farmers already re-building their homesteads they must be advised againstsettling or cropping in risky low lying areas and riverbanks;

• Reconstruction of the damaged irrigation schemes, small earth dams and nutritionalgardens, which require minor repairs, to enable the communities to start farming forwinter and summer crops to improve their food security nutritional situation;

• The food security, nutritional status and health in the affected areas need to be closelymonitored as it is expected to deteriorate in the coming month. The development of acommunity based surveillance should be considered and training to community healthworkers and community members should be provided;

• Awareness campaigns for malaria, cholera diarrhoea in the flooded areas should be heldto avoid the spread of these diseases;

22

5.8.2 Medium to long term recommendations

• There is need for the government to establish disaster preparedness and managementstructures prepared to handle natural disasters like floods at the community level. TheCPU has structures at provincial and district levels but there is nothing at farmer or wardlevel;

• Training programmes and multilevel public information systems must be formulated andimplemented by the relevant authorities to target people at all levels on topics likedisaster roundup and preparedness, risks of settling and farming in risky areas, floodmitigation, monitoring and management;

• Rehabilitation of irrigation schemes and dams with major damages and exploration ofnew areas for new schemes;

• Elaborate new technologies on water harvesting and conservation which might in somecases be more appropriate and cheaper to install;

• Reconstruction and introduction of improved food storage facilities (granaries) must beimplemented;

• Livestock restocking programmes concentrating on cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep mustbe intensified to increase the livestock availability in the affected provinces.

• Reconstruction of damaged livestock infrastructure like dips, fencing and holding pens.• Encourage the growing, processing and consumption of small grains like sorghum and

millet, which are less prone to water logging in comparison to maize.• Asses the possibilities of introducing small scale fruit processing and preservation

technologies in some of the fruit producing areas like Chipinge and Chimanimani. Theprocessing and preservation will add value to the products and farmers are able toincrease their income. This will support them o cover up for the losses they experiencedduring and after the floods.

23

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FINDINGS IN THE PROVINCES AND DISTRICTSVISITED

6. MANICALAND AND MIDLANDS

6.1 CROP SITUATION AND DAMAGES

6.1.1. MANICALAND PROVINCE

While the worst affected districts in this province were Chipinge and Chimanimani, Mutaredistrict had notable crop losses. The major effects in Mutare were water logging and lodgingof crops. An estimated 123 households had their fields badly affected. Approximately 930hectares of maize, 62 hectares of groundnuts, 9 hectares of tobacco and 70 hectares ofsunflower were affected. About 13 000 tonnes of tobacco (flue cured and burley) were lostdue to leaf drop as well as lack of curing facilities. The latter resulted from barn collapse andripping off of barn roofs. (A number of barns collapsed in the Odzi area). Vegetable gardenswithin 30 metres of the streambeds were washed away including Food and Nutrition fundedChipendeke Nutrition Garden and Chengetai consolidated garden which is funded by Planinternational. Fencing material worth about US$13 158 was destroyed.

Chimanimani DistrictExtensive damage was done to both field and horticultural crops, affecting about 2 579households. The nature of damage varied from complete wash away of fields and vegetablegardens along riverbanks, submerging and water-logging of crops in low-lying areas,lodging and soil nutrient leaching. Table 6.1.1 gives the estimated crop production losses inthe district.

Land holding per household for the smallholder sector is 3 to 4 hectares. Fruits are the major“crop” in Agro-ecological region I, especially in the highlands and valley areas such asRusitu and Cashel.

Approximately 10% of the district population reside in the valley areas. In non-valley areasof region I, some maize, groundnuts, rapoko, cowpeas and a few fruits are grown. Majorcrops grown in Regions II and III in order of importance are maize, groundnuts, rapoko,sorghum, pearl millet and some cotton, especially in resettlement areas. In regions IV and V,small grains (pearl millet and sorghum) dominate, followed by maize, groundnuts andcotton. Cowpeas are often inter-cropped with the major crops like maize.

Table 6.1.1: Estimated crop production losses in the smallholder farming sector

Crop type Totalcroppedarea (ha)

Expectedyieldbeforecyclone(t/ha)

Expectedyield aftercyclone(t/ha)

Expectedproductionbeforecyclone (t)

Expectedproductionaftercyclone (t)

%productionloss

Production loss(t)

Maize 12 764 1.80 1.10 22 975 14 040 39 8 935Sorghum 3 624 1.00 0.45 3 624 1 630 55 2 000Pearl millet 768 0.90 0.50 691 384 45 307Cotton 124 1.80 1.00 223 124 45 100Rapoko 178 0.90 0.50 160 89 45 71Sunflower 277 0.60 0.30 166 83 50 83Groundnuts 499 1.20 0.80 598 399 33 200Edible beans 810 1.00 0.60 810 486 40 324

Source: Agritex –Chimanimani district.

24

Chipinge district.

The nature of crop damage was similar to that of Chimanimani, but water-logging was morepronounced in Chipinge due to terrain differences (In Chimanimani the terrain is moresloppy). Tables 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 gives the estimated crop production losses in Chipingedistrict.

The low-lying areas along the Save valley were the most affected areas. According toAgritex district officers’ estimation, approximately 60% (about 59 446 households) of thehouseholds in the above listed areas, had their fields affected by floods.

Average land holding per household varies from area to area. In mountainous areas such asSamutsa, average land holding is 0.4 hectares whereas for non-mountainous areas it rangesfrom 1 to 2 hectares in the communal area farming sector. In one of the visited wards, ward28 of Chinyamukwakwa area in Ndowoyo communal area, new settlers hold about 1.5hectares whilst old settlers own 5 – 15 hectares of arable land. In this area cotton is the majorcrop followed by maize, groundnuts and bambara nuts, sorghum, sunflower, sugar beans andcowpeas. Sweet potatoes and okra are also grown to a significant extent. In Tamandayimaize and tea are the major crops whereas in Musikavanhu food crops grown in order ofimportance are sorghum, maize, groundnuts and mhunga. Cash crops grown in this area aresunflower and cotton

Table 6.1.2: Percentage of total cropped area that was affected by the cyclone.

Type of crop Total cropped Area (ha) Affected Area (ha) % of affected area.Maize 24 479 3 671 10Sorghum 8 703 1 305 15Mhunga 2 897 432 10Sunflower 525 78 15Cotton 17 697 2 603 15Burley tobacco 21 7 30Total cropped area 54 322 8 096 15

Source: Agritex –Chipinge district

Table 6.1.3: Estimated crop production losses due to cyclone effects.

Crop Total areacropped (ha)

Expectedaverage yieldbefore cyclone(t/ha)

Expectedavg. yieldafter cyclone(t/ha)

Expectedprodn

beforecyclone (t)

Expectedprodn aftercyclone (t)

% prodn lossdue tocycloneeffects

Maize 24479 1.5 1.0 36718.5 23008 33Sorghum 8 703 1.0 0.5 8703 4351.5 50Mhunga 2 897 1.0 0.5 2897 1448.5 50Sunflower 525 1.0 0.4 525 210 60Cotton 17 697 2.0 1.0 35394 17697 50Burleytobacco

21 2.0 1.0 42 21 50

Source: Agritex –Chipinge district

Apart from field crops production of horticultural crops in both the highlands and valleyareas of Manicaland, particularly Chimanimani districts were affected. Fruit drop and / ordamage, uprooting of trees and wash-away of orchards and vegetable gardens wereexperienced. In Chipinge, for example avocado fruit drop was estimated at 50% damage topapaya (paw-paw) fruits at 70% and wash away of the Samutsa banana project plots at 50%.

25

6.1.2 MIDLANDS PROVINCE

The southern half of the province was more affected by the cyclone than the northern half.The southern half covers Mvuma, Mberengwa, and parts of Shurugwi and Zvishavanedistricts. Kwekwe, Gokwe and Gweru districts constitute the upper (northern) half, maineffects on crops were water-logging, nutrient leaching and reduction in quality of produceespecially grain and groundnuts.

Mberengwa district:

Major crops grown in the district are maize, sorghum, mhunga, rapoko, groundnuts,sunflower and cotton. Cotton is a relatively new crop in the district. Cultivated area holdingper household for the communal area sector ranges from about 4.0 to 9.0 hectares. Theaverage holding is 5.8 hectares.

Cyclone effects on crops in this district were mostly nutrient leaching and waterlogging.These effects were cumulative from substantial rains received since January. Heavy rainswere also received during early February (Total average rainfall received for the season bymid April was 1000mm compared to the long-term average of 450-500 mm). The breachingof Mundi Mataga dam led to wash away of nearby fields and downstream fields. The size offields washed away could not be readily established. Table 6.1.4 gives the crop damages inMberengwa district.

Table 6.1.4: Estimated crop production losses due to cyclone effects.

Crop Areaplanted(ha)

Expectedaverage yieldbefore thecyclone (t/ha)

Expectedaverage yieldafter thecyclone (t/ha)

Estimatedproductionbefore cyclone(t)

Estimatedproductionafter cyclone(t)

%Productionloss.

Maize 23 008 1.8 1 41 414.4 24 848.6 40Sorghum 3 089 1.5 0.6 4 633.5 1 853.4 60Mhunga 5 343 0.9 0.4 4 808.7 2 137.2 56Rapoko 5 716 1 0.7 5 716.0 4 000.2 30Groundnuts 8 904 1.5 0.9 13 356.0 8 013.6 40Sunflower 457 0.8 0.4 365.6 182.8 50Cotton 2 055 1.2 0.8 2 466.0 1 644 34

Source: Agritex-Mberengwa district

Grain production was affected most in the following wards: Chizungu, Baradzamwa,Bankwe, Chebvute, Danga, Mataruse B1 and B2, Muchembere, Mataga, Chingoma A and B,Mahlebadza, Mushandirapamwe, Zvomukonde, Negove and Wanezi resettlement area.Mushandirapamwe, Baradzamwa and Mahlebadza were the most affected whileZvemukonde and Negove were the least affected.

Mvuma District.

Water logging and soil nutrient leaching have been the major cyclone effects on crops andthe late planted crops were more affected than the early planted ones. Table 13 gives thecrop production losses in Mvuma district. Persistent rains and waterlogged conditionshampered field operations such as weeding, pest and disease control and harvesting. Itshould, however, be noted that cyclone effects cannot be easily separated from those of non-cyclone induced wet conditions. Quality of produce has also been adversely affected by thewet conditions as incidence of cob rots on maize, sprouting of groundnuts before lifting orduring curing and sprouting of grains increased. Maize stalk-borer was a serious problemthis season in Mvuma district.

26

The northern part of the district (Mvuma north) was most affected. This area coversMapiravana, Chizhou, Tatonga and Takawira wards as well as Takawira resettlement area.Due to the inherently low nutrient status of the soils and limited use of fertilisers, yields aregenerally low and most households retain approximately 90% of their harvested maize. Mostfarmers retain groundnuts and rapoko and only sell after adding value to these products inthe form of peanut butter and beer, respectively.

Table 6.1.5: Estimated reduction in crop production due cyclone effects

Crop Type Areaplanted(ha)

Expectedyieldbeforecyclone(t/ha)

Expected yieldafter cyclone(t/ha)

Expectedproduction beforecyclone (t)

Expectedproductionaftercyclone (t)

%productionloss

Maize 12 634 0.7 0.4 8 843.8 5033.60 43Mhunga 230 0.3 0.2 69.0 46.00 33Sorghum 42 0.4 0.3 16.8 12.60 25Rapoko 1 527 0.4 0.3 610.0 458.10 25Groundnuts 2 888 0.9 0.7 2 599.0 2021.60 22Sunflower 539 0.5 0.3 269.0 161.40 40Edible beans 41 0.3 0.2 12.0 8.2 32Cotton 107 1.0 0.7 107.0 75.00 33

Source: Agritex- Mvuma district

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Appropriate crop inputs should be donated to the affected households. Agritex and ZFUcould assist in the exercise. Past experience, has shown that:

a) Most input supply schemes, deliver inputs to intended beneficiaries late in the season.Appropriate time will be by end of September or end of October at the latest.b) Targeting of beneficiaries has not been quite efficient in the sense that non-deservinghouseholds benefit and thus the needy lose out.c) The donated / provided inputs are sometimes not suitable for the agro-ecologicalareas in question and in disagreement with what extensionists advice farmers to grow.

Proposed guidelines for input allocation per affected household for the 2000/01productionseason are given in Appendix XII.

• Households should be persuaded to desist from cropping along riverbanks.• Farmers areas prone to Grey Leaf Spot should be encouraged to grow Grey Leaf Spot

tolerant maize varieties since the disease can cause extensive crop loss. Although the seedcost for such varieties is higher than non-tolerant types, the reward of using the former atthe end of the season is high.

• Infrastructure in the affected areas urgently needs to be repaired to facilitate marketing ofthe remaining crops and fruits in particular for the Chipinge and Chimanimani fruitproduction areas.

• Growing short season varieties is advisable so that the affected households get own foodand income earlier.

27

6.2 LIVESTOCK

6.2.1 Importance of livestock in a community

Various types of livestock traditionally kept by the rural communities for a variety of uses.These are: cattle, goats, donkeys, chickens, pigs and sheep. Draught power is one of the mostimportant uses of cattle and donkeys. Rural households rely on cropping and without draughtpower for ploughing fields household food security is threatened. Selling of livestockparticularly cattle and goats can be an important source of income for rural families, withcattle fetching between Z$4 000 and Z$12 000 per beast.

Domestic livestock also provide milk and meat. Manure from animals is important for use infields, as most communal area soils tend to have poor fertility. Goat manure is especiallyhighly valued for use in vegetable gardens.

6.2.2 Livestock ownership patterns in the affected areas

The majority of farmers in the affected areas have cattle. The following graph gives theaverage number of cattle per household in the areas visited.

Figure 1: Cattle ownership in the four Districts

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Chimanimani Chipinge Mberengwa Chirumanzi

DISTRICT

Ani

mal

s pe

r H

ouse

hold

The ownership of goats is also very variable, even within the districts. This ranges fromthree to six goats. The lowest ownership was in Mvuma, where a whole village might nothave any goat. Donkey ownership per household in all districts was also between three andsix. Every household kept some poultry.

Cattle ownership in Ngorima A is 5% of the households with an average of 2 cattle perhousehold, while it is high in the resettlement area of Shinja and other low lying areas ofChipinge like ward 28. Cattle and goats are sold when there is a crisis in the household

6.2.3 Livestock sales

Most of the livestock sales are done within the communities. The butchers are the majorcustomers, the next being farmer to farmer. The Cold Storage Commission used to arrange

28

marketing for cattle buyers and sellers, but now this seems no longer to be happening. Thereis however room for improved marketing strategies. The livestock selling prices in thevarious districts are shown in Table 6.2.1.

Table 6.2.1: Average livestock selling prices (US$)

Chimanimani Chipinge Mberengwa MvumaCattle 158 105 316 105Goats 18 13 16 18

Source: Farmers and Veterinary Department

1. The possible reason why there is a higher price for cattle in Mberengwa is because oftheir bigger frame and size as compared to the other zones.

6.2.4 Livestock losses

A lot of livestock was washed away as people were not prepared for the magnitude of thefloods and did not have adequate time to move them to higher ground.

Tables 6.2.2 and 6.2.3 show the livestock losses experienced by the farmers in the assessedareas as of 31 March 2000. The estimated costs required for a restocking exercise are alsogiven.

Table 6.2.2: Livestock losses in ManicalandLIVESTOCK CHIMANIMANI CHIPINGE TOTAL NUMBER UNIT COST

(US$)

REPLACEMENT

VALUE (US$)

CATTLE 85 189 274 158 43263

GOATS 209 1032 1241 18 22861

SHEEP 53 124 177 21 3726

PIGS 108 108 26 2842

DONKEYS 7 78 85 18 1566

CHICKENS 325 3849 4174 2 9886

TURKEYS 17 30 47 3 148

DUCKS 1115 1115 3 2934

TOTAL COST US$ 87 226

Table 6.2.3: Livestock losses in MidlandsLIVESTOCK MBERENGWA UNIT COST (US$) ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT VALUE (US$)

CATTLE 24 $ 263.16 $ 6,315.79

GOATS 48 $ 18.42 $ 884.21

SHEEP 1 $ 21.05 $ 21.05

DONKEYS 37 $ 26.32 $ 973.68

TOTAL COST US$ 8195

In the Midlands Province, Mberengwa District was the most affected. Most of the livestockwashed away was as a result of the breaching of the Mundi-Mataga dam. The dam was stillunder construction before the cyclone. There were no livestock losses reported in Mvuma.The major effect of the cyclone here was on crops and houses. In all provinces, livestocklosses were not classified in any manner according to age, sex or size.

29

6.2.5 Infrastructure damages

Some livestock infrastructure was damaged. This included dips, cattle fences, dams andholding pens.

1. DipsSome of these had their roofs blown off, or collapsed walls. In some instances, the dips wereflooded and eventually became silted. 2. Game cordon fencesZimbabwe, in an effort to limit transmission of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), hascreated game corridors, which are fenced to prevent buffalo (FMD carriers) to get intocontact with cattle. These fences were washed away especially where they crossed rivers.

Table 6.2.4: Infrastructure damagedINFRASTRUCTURE CHIMANIMANI CHIPINGE MBERENGWA TOTAL No. ESTIMATED COST OF

REPAIRS (US$)FENCES (km) 2 2 4 $ 1,263.16

DIP TANKS 2 6 8 $ 27,368.11

TOTAL $ 28,631.27

6.2.6 Animal healthAnimal health in Manicaland

In most areas of the province, the extended rainy season gave rise to an increasing incidenceof tick-borne diseases. The diseases noted were Anaplasmosis (gall sickness), Babesiosis(Red water), Cowdriosis (Heartwater) and Theileriosis (January disease). However, Chipingedid not report any significant increase in the incidence of these diseases. The CommercialFarmers Union (CFU) reported the following cases of tick-borne diseases;

Figure2: Incidence of disease on commercial farms in ManicalandIncidence of tick-borne diseases in Manicaland

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Anaplasmosis Babesiosis Cowdriosis TheileriosisDISEASE

Nu

mb

er

Reported cases

Deaths

Lumpy skin disease was reported to be on the increase in the province, with twelve casesbeing reported on commercial farms.

The prevalence of tick-borne diseases could be attributed to the erratic supply of drugs anddipping schedules due to damaged infrastructure and impassable roads for drug

30

replenishment. Some dip tanks were also not usable. The most affected areas were in theSave Valley.

In Chimanimani and Chipinge, cases of black leg and anthrax were reported. There is apositive correlation found between heavy rainfall and outbreaks of these diseases.

Newcastle Disease and fowlpox were also common poultry diseases in all the areas visited.

Animal health in Midlands

The major diseases reported in this province were Foot-rot and Three-Day Stiff sickness(Ephemeral fever).• The stiff sickness is a viral disease caused by climatic variations giving rise to increased

vectors for the virus.• Foot-rot is favoured by high temperature and humidity particularly when muddy ground

is used for penning or kraaling animals.

6.2.7 GrazingThe heavy rains brought about lush and good grazing to the affected areas. Mopane browsewas also available in the drier parts. However, communal grazing riparian to flooded riverswas washed away. These are areas where green grazing is found most of the time duringdrier periods. It is estimated that five percent of this grazing was washed away.

On commercial farms, grazing was not much affected as it is usually sited on higher groundwith well drained soils.

6.2.8 Impact on livestock and household

Table 6.2.5: Impact on livestock and household

LIVESTOCK HOUSEHOLDSHORT TERM • Increasing incidence of disease

requires immediate attention throughtimely supply of drugs.

• There was loss of animal products,especially meat and milk

• Good grazing available for thesurviving stock

• Fetch good prices if sold• High levels of milk production

MEDIUM TERM • Failure of crops means there will notbe any fodder for supplementingproductive animals (draught power,milk) during the dry season.

• Loss of draught power• Loss of manure for fields

LONG TERM • Loss of breeding stock • Loss of draught power• Loss of financial security

6.2.9 Recommendations

Control of Disease

• Most of the tick diseases are a result of failure to deliver drugs and vaccines to affectedareas. This has been brought about by inaccessible roads. Repair of these roads andbridges should be made a priority to combat the diseases before they become endemic.The same applies to other livestock diseases like anthrax, black-leg, fowlpox and NewCastle Disease (NCD).

31

• The high cost of some drugs and their unavailability might also hamper efforts to addressthe situation timely. Assistance to procure these has to be sought.

• Some dips, which were damaged, need repairs and funds have to be made available forrefurbishing.

• For the control of Foot-rot there is a need for good sanitation and dry pens and kraals.These should be erected on sloping ground and the soils well drained.

The Department of Veterinary Services has indicated the drugs, which would be required,for all areas affected by the cyclone. These are given in the in the Appendix X.

Restocking exercise

There is a need for assistance in the replacement of animals washed away by the floods. Ofmajor concern is the loss of draught power on which many communities are dependent fortheir livelihood. There is therefore a need to look into possible sources of cattle and donkeysfor the farmers. Funding could be sourced from the Livestock Development Trust (LDT), theZimbabwe Farmers’ Union (ZFU), or some donors like Heifer Project International.

Livestock Development Trust

The LDT has been given responsibility for organising dipping, marketing, loans forpurchases of livestock and general livestock development programmes. The Trust couldtherefore act as the coordinator of the restocking exercise.

Already a restocking programme has been put in place to address the livestock losses of the1991/92 drought. Chipinge had taken delivery of 137 heifers from the scheme andChimanimani had got 101. The programme was started in 1997.

During the time of the visit, Chimanimani district had already screened candidates to benefitfrom the heifer loan scheme prior to the cyclone.

Small stock

These should also be given priority for restocking. They play a very important role in ruralfarming systems. Very little capital is required to start up a flock, and they reach market ageearlier than cattle and allow a quick return on investment

6.3 IRRIGATION AND WATER RESOURCES

Irrigation is very important in these provinces where the majority of the areas are located inthe drier Natural regions IV and V. In these regions agriculture is risky and people dependmainly on irrigation both for food and as a source of income. Hence any damages resultingin the non functioning of small dams and irrigation schemes has a direct bearing on the foodsecurity situation of irrigation farmers and surrounding communities. Information on thedamages was mainly obtained from the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), Department of WaterDevelopment (DWD) and Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services(AGRITEX) provincial, district and scheme staff. Farmers and other key institutions werealso consulted. To verify and consolidate the secondary information visits were made toselected damaged irrigation schemes in Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mberengwa and Mvumadistricts. The damage to irrigation schemes was identified to be in two forms. Firstly, therewas physical damage to irrigation infrastructure (dams, weirs, intake structures, pumpingstations, canals, distribution structures and pipes). Secondly there was crop damage on the

32

irrigation scheme, either through complete crop wash away or damage through water loggingand leaching. The extent of each type of damage varied from scheme to scheme. The damageto dams varied from complete silting, complete washing away of dam wall and embankmentand cracking of the dam wall.

6.3.1 MANICALAND PROVINCE

Irrigation schemes

The irrigation schemes, which were damaged by floods in Manicaland, are mainly thoselocated in the Save valley. There is a high concentration of irrigation schemes along the SaveRiver, stretching from Nyanyadzi/Nenhowe down to Chisumbanje. Due to the abnormallyhigh rainfall received in the province the water level of the Save river rose above normallevels resulting in severe flooding of the adjacent irrigation schemes. In some cases, the Savechanged its course cutting through irrigation schemes and in the process inflicting heavydamage to infrastructure and crops. Most pumping stations along the river were eithercompletely submerged or washed away. Canals and irrigation plots were heavily silted anderoded. The schemes damaged are:

District Scheme Area (Ha)

Mutare Mpudzi 46Chimanimani Chakohwa 85

Nyanyadzi/Nenhowe 540

Nyanyadzi South 200Chipinge Mutema 371

Tawona 362

Chibuwe 306Musikavanhu 698

Buhera Bonde 264Deure 261

Field visits were made to Chakohwa, Nyanyadzi, Musikavanhu and Chibuwe irrigationschemes to assess the damages. Table 6.3.1 summarises the details of damaged irrigationschemes in Manicaland province and the estimated costs of rehabilitating the infrastructure.

33

Table 6.3.1: Details of irrigation schemes damaged in Manicaland provinceName of scheme District Area

(Ha)NaturalRegion

No. ofplot

holders

Details of damaged irrigationinfrastructure

Crop damages Estimatedcosts of

repairingirrigation

infrastructure

Remarks

Mpudzi Mutare 46 III 46 -20m of weir 1 washed away- weir 2 silted with debris and boulders-60m of 150mm diameter steel pipe fromweir to field washed away-7 culverts on access road to schemewashed away

-About 23ha maizesubmerged and cobsare rotting. G/nutsfrom 11.5 ha whichwere being dried nowgerminating. Flowerdrop on 11.5ha ofbean crop

US$ 25 89410 houses of farmers destroyed. At timeof visit whole scheme could not operate.

Chakohwa Chimanimani 85 IV 117 -25m of weir and intake structure onChakohwa river completely swept away-4km of lined main canal completelysilted

-No crop damageswere reported.Farmers worriedsince they cannotplant the winter beancrop, one of theirmost profitable crops

US$ 23 800At time of visit whole scheme could notoperate. Farmers had already de-siltedmain canal using own resources. Farmersworried about inability to plant theirwinter bean crop

Nyanyadzi/Nenhowe Chimanimani 540 V 642 -4 Worthington QL pumps submergedand damaged. Intake tunnel silted-5m intake weir damaged- 60m 525mm diameter. steel pipewashed away-8km road to weir eroded in somesections-1000m block B fencing swept away- 950m of unlined main canal from weirsilted-3800m field canals (0.25m bed width)washed away- 150ha Block B completely silted.

-About 200ha ofmaize cropcompletely washedaway.

US$ 366 160At time of visit whole scheme could notoperate. Farmers were busy de- siltingthe main canal using own resources

Nyanyadzi South Chimanimani 200 V 200 - 2 boreholes completely submerged -Tomato nurseriescompletely washedaway. Maize in thefield which wasready for harvestingis now germinatingon the cob due toexcess rainfall

US$ 5 000 At time of visit a contractor had beencontacted to inspect and repair allboreholes pumps which were flooded.The scheme is an EU supported project.

34

Name of scheme District Area(Ha)

NaturalRegion

No. ofplot

holders

Details of damaged irrigationinfrastructure

Crop damages Estimatedcosts of

repairingirrigation

infrastructure

Remarks

Mutema Chipinge 282 V 371 -3 boreholes collapsed due to flooding-900m of AC pipeline from borehole 4 tofield washed away-Transformer and power line to borehole4 washed away-Intake structure and 400m main canalfor the surface block was washed away-47ha of plots completely eroded-3 extension staff houses damaged

-No crop damagesreported. US$ 110 200

At the time of visit the whole schemewas not operational due to the damages.

Tawona Chipinge 362 V 258 -Pump house flooded but no physicaldamage. Pump house silted.

-No crop damagesreported

US$ 5 000 Need to inspect pumps for any damage.Need to de-silt the pump house with helpof farmers.

Chibuwe Chipinge 306 V 262 -Pumps on Save river flooded anddamaged- 2500 m of field canals washed away-Unlined main canal breached at 3points-Block E (22ha) eroded away beyondrehabilitation-4 farmers had their homesteads andgranaries washed away

-72ha of maizecompletely destroyed-14ha of paprikacompletelydestroyed.-9ha cottoncompletely destroyed

US$ 246 865It is proposed during the rehabilitationalso to concrete line the existing 8000mmain canal which was severely damagedby the floods. The main line wasoriginally unlined. Proposed to re-locateBlock E (2200m field canals) and itspump house. Land has already beenidentified

Musikavanhu Chipinge 698 V 621 - Borehole 27 completely submerged byfloods- 4.2 km of fence fallen down-100ha of irrigation land completelysilted -15 Blair latrines in the irrigationscheme collapsed and 7 have crackedwalls-120 pieces of 75 mm diameter. siphonsswept away

-107 ha of maizecompletely destroyed-11ha of paprikacompletely destroyed-46ha cottoncompletely destroyed-2ha mixedvegetablescompletely destroyed

US$ 50 000There was minimal damage to irrigationinfrastructure on this EU supportedscheme. At the time of visit a contractorhad been asked to check and inspect allthe boreholes for any hidden damage.383 irrigators lost their homesteads.

Deure Buhera 261 V 384 -Intake structure and 500m of main canalsilted.

-No crop damagesreported.

US$ 2 500 At time of visit farmers had starteddesilting using own resources. Totalcommand area of scheme is 446ha

Bonde Buhera 264 V 528 -3 APF pumps completely submergedand silted

-No crop damagesreported

US $ 5 000 Pumps need drying and rewiring. Totalcommand area of scheme is 660ha.

Sources: Agritex, DWD and mission findings, April 2000

35

Dams

In addition to the irrigation schemes 13 small earth dams were damaged inChimanimani and Chipinge districts. The dams are used for domestic purposes,livestock watering, fishing and more importantly for the irrigation of communityvegetable gardens. The vegetable gardens are normally 0.2 – 0.4ha in size and eachhousehold is allocated 3- 5 beds each bed being 5m2. Women and children are themain participants. The main crops grown are rape, tomatoes, green maize and onions.The gardens are therefore important for improved nutrition and as a source of foodsecurity. Detailed information on the capacities and exact nature of damage on eachdam was not readily available at the time of mission. Due to time constraints eachsmall earth dam could not be visited. However table gives the list of small earth damswere reported to have been damaged by the floods. The nature of damage varied fromcomplete siltation, complete washing away of dam wall and cracking of the dam wall.Table 6.3.2 gives the small earth dams, which were reported to be damaged inManicaland province.

Table 6.3.2: Damaged small earth dams in Manicaland province

Name of dam District Chenjere/Chikwakwa ChimanimaniMukandwa/Chikwakwa ChimanimaniChikwakwa clinic ChimanimaniHaruna Chinyamiti ChimanimaniMundoringisa ChimanimaniOscar/Guhune ChimanimaniNyahondo/Chayamiti ChimanimaniMuandave/Guhune ChimanimaniChiora Biriwiri ward, ChimanimaniMhizha Mhizha ward ,ChimanimaniMhandarume Mhandarume ward, ChimanimaniMasengwe Ward 28, ChipingeNyazvitende Ward 21, Chipinge

Source: Manicaland CPU report, April 2000

Due to lack of detailed information, accurate cost estimate of rehabilitating the damscould not be derived. However from experience such small earth dams averages 150000m3 in gross capacity. When they fail, the most common damage is breaching ofthe dam wall. The costs of repairing such damage are heavily dependent on the siteconditions. Experience has shown that repairs on average costs about US$ 22 000 perdam of 150 000m3 capacity. Therefore for rehabilitating 13 small earth dams inManicaland province will require financial resources estimated to be US$ 286 000.

6.3.2 MIDLANDS PROVINCE

Several irrigation schemes were damaged by floods in Midlands province. Howeveras compared to Manicaland province the infrastructure damage was less. The mainnature of damage was flooding and siltation of pumping houses, complete washingaway of pumps and the severe erosion of irrigation plots. The major crop damageswere reduction of expected crop yields due to excessive rainfall, which resulted inleaching, lodging and water logging. The worst affected irrigation schemes both interms of infrastructure and crop damages are located in Gweru, Mberengwa, andMvuma districts.

36

Table 6.3.3: Crop damages in irrigation schemes

District Schemes Area (ha)Gweru Mamabanjeni 78

Mopane 5Mkoba 11Shagari 28

Mberengwa Chimwe Chegato 64Mvuma Hamamavhaire 92

A field visit was made to Chimwe, Chegato and Hamamavhaire irrigation schemes toassess the damages. Due to time constraints it was not possible to visit all damagedschemes in the province to verify the nature of damages on the ground. The details ofthe worst damaged irrigation schemes in Midlands are presented in Table 6.3.4.

37

Table 6.3.4: Details of irrigation schemes damaged in Midlands provinceName ofscheme

District Area(Ha)

NaturalRegion

No of plotholders

Details of damaged irrigationinfrastructure

Crop damages Estimatedcosts of

repairingirrigation

infrastructure

Remarks

Mambanjeni Gweru 78 IV 168 -Pump house flooded by water. Seepagecontinues as a problem into the pump house

-No crop damagesreported US$ 3 000

At time of visit the whole irrigation schemewas not opera