More centre pivots needed in Mash West Dams now 80 percent full
MASHONALAND West province needs additional centre pivots, especially in the tobacco farming regions, to enhance irrigation infrastructure while boosting production in the province, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Webster Shamu has said.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), more than 33 684 farmers from Mashonaland West province had registered to produce the “golden leaf” as of December last year.
The development of irrigation infrastructure will see an increase in the provincial output, as well as the quality of the tobacco crop.
Speaking at an Ethical Leaf Tobacco provincial sports tournament launch held in Chinhoyi recently, Minister Shamu said the province had 24 dams which could help improve tobacco output.
“We need centre pivots in Mashonaland West province in order to boost our tobacco production and assure quality production,” he said.
“We have 24 big dams and at least 200 small dams in the province. What we now need are centre pivots to enhance our irrigation infrastructure.”
Mashonaland West province, said Minister Shamu, had the potential to improve its tobacco quality, as well as the output.
“Now, I call upon tobacco contracting companies to assist in the production of tobacco so that quality production is guaranteed,” he said. THE average national dam levels have continued to rise, with some major dams now full following the rains that have been experienced in many parts of the country.
According to the latest Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) statistics, the average national dam levels has increased to 78,8 percent, representing a 10,1 percent increase from the previous statistics.
Zinwa corporate communications manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said Manyame Catchment is at 100,2 percent, Mzingwane Dam 97,3 percent, Runde 61,1 percent and Save 89,6 percent.
“Gwayi Dam average is 83,6 percent,
“Centre pivots will see complete utilisation of our resources in the province; thus contributing to the country’s economy.”
Minister Shamu indicated that illegal settlers had to move off unregulated settlements.
“I call for order in the province,” he said. “Those who are in illegal settlements should vacate. No one should settle without Government’s permission and those in grazing lands should also move to designated places.” while Mazowe is 98,4 percent,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga said Sanyati had the highest dam level average at 101,4 percent.
She said the dams had sufficient water to meet the country’s domestic use and irrigation requirements.
Zinwa urged raw water users to start renewing their water abstraction agreements, while new applicants should start signing their water abstraction agreements.
“We appeal to all raw water users wishing to use water from Zinwa-managed dams to start working on the renewal of their water abstraction agreements for the coming water year, which starts on April 1,” said Mrs Munyonga.
“New users need to approach
Minister Shamu urged farmers to be united in building the country’s economy.
Government has already put up 10 centre pivots in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central.
In an interview, Ethical Leaf Tobacco public relations manager Ms Hellen Rohde said most tobacco farmers were from Mashonaland West.
“We want to give back to the communities, so we had planned to go regional,” she said. their respective Zinwa offices and sign water abstraction agreements as required by the law.”
Zinwa advised water users that water remained a finite resource, which needed to be conserved and used efficiently.
Separately, Harare Residents Trust urged parents and guardians to accompany their children to school and to be cautious when crossing streams, rivers and when approaching flooded areas, as most water streams had flooded.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) urged the public to be vigilant.
It also advised the Department of Civil Protection, local authorities, police and power utilities to be on the alert for flood disasters.
“Mashonaland West is one of our best growers in the country and we look forward to working with the communities, as well as the farmers.
“We have started the initiative where we sponsor schools tournaments, with Chinhoyi High School hosting the finals.”
The Department of Irrigation plans to set up drip irrigation systems for farmers around Mhangura, Doma and Chinhoyi in the province.