Water Shortages Hamper Agricultural Innovation at Gwanda State University
Duduzile Nyathi
Gwanda State University (GSU) in Matabeleland South is facing serious water shortages that have stalled critical agricultural innovation projects, threatening the university’s role in advancing Zimbabwe’s rural economy and food security.
During a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee oversight visit reported on 9 September 2025, it was revealed that GSU suffers from “seven non-functional boreholes” which have rendered irrigation pivots inoperative on the university’s farmland. The report details that “without reliable water sources, the university’s agro-innovation projects face setbacks in scaling operations.” To compensate, the university currently depends on a costly generator to irrigate crops, a stopgap measure that is not sustainable for long-term productivity.
The Committee stressed the importance of urgent infrastructure development, stating, “Addressing these infrastructure deficiencies requires strategic investments in energy, automation and processing facilities to ensure sustainable growth.” Such support is essential for GSU to fully maximize its potential as a key driver of climate-smart agriculture and rural economic development in Matabeleland South.
GSU’s agro-innovation aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030 aspirations, focusing on empowering local farmers and reducing import dependence. Revitalizing boreholes to restore irrigation capacity will expand production and contribute to improved livelihoods.
The report exposes broader challenges facing Zimbabwe’s tertiary education sector, which is mandated under the Education 5.0 policy to embed innovation and entrepreneurship for economic transformation. The lack of critical infrastructure like water supply diminishes the impact of academic research on national goals.
Hon. Bridget Nyandoro, who presented the report, emphasized that innovation hubs at universities “are proving functional, viable and effective as strategic enablers of National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.” Yet he cautioned that funding shortfalls and infrastructure deficits risk derailing progress.
With over 62% of Zimbabwe’s population under 35, bolstering institutions like GSU has a ripple effect on youth employment and rural development. The Committee also called for government-led financing to ensure “targeted funding, land allocation and policy incentives” that will strengthen rural innovation ecosystems.
GSU’s water challenges exemplify the gap between potential and capacity in Zimbabwe’s innovation hubs. Closing this gap through decisive infrastructure investment is critical to unlocking the agricultural development and job creation that Zimbabwe needs.
