The Effects of Artisanal Mining on Irrigation Farming The Case of Umzinyathini Irrigation Scheme in Umzingwane District, Southern Matabeleland, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article aims to show that competing demands on environmental resources have, more often than not, exacerbated vulnerability of poor rural agricultural communities. Artisanal and small-scale mining and irrigation-based farming are the main sources of rural livelihood used to cope with vulnerability in the drought-prone Mawabeni rural communities of Umzingwane District in Zimbabwe. Irrigation farming in Umzingwane District depends heavily on sustainable water supply and unpolluted land. Similarly, artisanal mining (ASM) depends on water for panning processes. Poor people’s vulnerability often increases when irrigation development demand and artisanal mining operations compete for resources such as time, labour and water. The article explores the effects of ASM activities on sustainable agriculture productivity with specific focus on the irrigation scheme in Umzingwane District of Southern Matabeleland. A qualitative descriptive survey design and purposive sampling technique were used to select the study area, participants and to analyse data. The article concludes that ASM has caused a radical shift of able-bodied labour from irrigation farming to ASM thereby decreasing the productive capacity of the irrigation scheme. Notwithstanding the presence of locally-based extension officers from the Ministry of Lands, Mechanisation and Extension Services and traditional leaders who are instrumental in the provision of institutional support and guidance as well as access to external support and attracting social networks with farming inputs, the ASM activities have impacted negatively on farming in Umzingwane District.