“This report presents the findings of a rapid review to determine the policies
and politics that have shaped irrigation practice and performance in Zimbabwe over the past 40–50 years. We conducted a political analysis to assess how politics and specific interests shape technical performance and outcomes, and the trade-offs between them. Based on this, we
identified opportunities for innovation in irrigation policy and practice, with
a view to charting more sustainable and resilient pathways for future irrigation development. A literature review was combined with in-country interviews and short site visits, exploring the evolution of irrigation over time, the drivers of change, who benefited and lost from irrigation investments and how irrigation development could better contribute to poverty reduction, economic growth and climate resilience.”
