By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare, Zimbabwe — The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has reassured both farmers and urban residents that the country’s major dams are holding ample water to support the 2025 winter cropping season, following the closure of the planting window for winter wheat on June 15.
In a statement issued by ZINWA spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga, the authority confirmed that water levels across the nation’s key dams remain robust. As of June 23, the national average dam level stood at 87 percent, representing a significant 15.1 percent increase from the same period last year, when levels averaged 71.9 percent.
“This strong water position signals a positive outlook for both food security and water supply stability as we enter the peak of the winter farming season,” Munyonga stated.
Munyonga highlighted that more than 620 farmers have already signed water abstraction agreements to access water for crops such as wheat, barley, and potatoes. Additionally, agreements are in place for farmers cultivating sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, horticultural crops, and those in the livestock sector requiring water for pasture irrigation and animal consumption.
Despite the encouraging dam levels, Munyonga raised concerns about unregistered water use, issuing a stern warning to farmers who may have planted crops without formal water abstraction agreements. She urged such farmers to promptly approach their local catchment or service centre offices to regularize their water use.
“Water abstraction agreements are essential for the sustainable and efficient management of the country’s water resources. They enable ZINWA to allocate water fairly among all users, including agriculture, industry, and urban households,” she emphasized.
Munyonga also warned that no water will be released to individuals or entities without valid abstraction agreements. To enforce compliance, ZINWA has intensified surveillance along river systems to crack down on illegal abstractions, which can disrupt regulated water flows and threaten water security for registered users.
As Zimbabwe’s winter cropping season gains momentum, ZINWA is urging farmers to strictly adhere to their allocated water quotas to ensure equitable distribution and prevent penalties.
The positive dam levels and proactive management by ZINWA come as a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, a vital component of the country’s economy and food security. With water resources currently at above-seasonal averages, Zimbabwe is well-positioned for a potentially strong winter harvest provided that water use remains within the regulated guidelines.