Desist from poor agric practices: Chakona

VILLAGERS should desist from poor agricultural practices that promote siltation of water bodies, Zaka Central legislator Cde Paradzai Chakona has said.

Speaking at the launch of Command Water Harvesting programme at Masvingo Dam in Dewure recently, Cde Chakona said human activities were contributing factors leading to siltation of rivers and dams.

“Even though Government is making strides in efforts to manage water resources, these efforts are being reversed and continue to be abused by a number of human activities leading to siltation.

“In most areas across the country, the time and duration of river flow has been drastically changed. Most small dams in our communities have their storage capacities highly compromised due to siltation,” he said.

The project at Masvingo Dam in Dewure is part of Government to harness water for agricultural productivity.

Cde Chakona said siltation had largely been caused by poor farming practices such as stream bank cultivation and overgrazing.

“I would like to encourage law enforcement agents and other relevant institutions like the Environmental Management Agency and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to enhance the fight against these poor agricultural practices,” he said.

Cde Chakona hailed Government efforts to introduce the Command Water Harvesting programme that would help in fighting poverty.