Introduction

Before moving to presentation and discussion of specific results of the research and then- implications, it may be useful to look at some of the trends affecting irrigation in the world outside Zimbabwe, and at some of the themes characterizing the change and adaptation currently taking place. Although not all of these are relevant to conditions in Zimbabwe, they nonetheless provide the context in which irrigation investment and management issues are discussed internationally. Following that, this chapter will discuss briefly the African context for these international themes and preside background discussions of irrigation in Zimbabwe, and current irrigation issues in Zimbabwe, it will then offer brief overviews of the methodology employed in the research and of the workshop.

An introductory briefing on the impact of irrigation agriculture in Zimbabwe.