Rains bring hope to cane growers

HEAVY rains that have been pounding most parts of Masvingo have brightened prospects of a good harvest by hundreds of indigenous sugar cane farmers in the Lowveld whose operations were under threat from an acute shortage of irrigation water.

The cane particularly at Mkwasine and Hippo Valley Estates had been seriously affected by the prolonged dry spell and insufficient irrigation water in supply dams in January.

Water shortages resulted in rampant illegal water abstraction by communities living along major canals that supply irrigation water to Lowveld cane plantations.

Commercial Sugarcane Farmers Association of Zimbabwe chairman Captain Admore Hwarare (Retired) last week said the recent heavy rains had brought relief to farmers.

“Most farmers from Mkwasine and Hippo Valley estates have over the past few years been experiencing a drop in yields mainly because of water shortages and this year the situation had become so bad in some areas to an extent of forcing farmers in some areas to replant after recent rains,” he said.

“Recent rains have revived hopes of good yields by our farmers, most of whom were facing operational challenges owing to declining yields.

“Our goal is to make sure all the irrigable land in the Lowveld is fully utilised, but shortage of irrigation water has of late been a major challenge.”

Hwarare said recent rains had also resulted in increased inflows into most dams that supplied irrigation water to the Lowveld.

This was corroborated by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Southern Region manager Mr Peter Shoteri who said water that had so far been collected in major supplier dams was enough for two seasons.

“Water levels are improving in dams such as Mutirikwi, but as of now farmers at Triangle and Hippo Valley estates are relying on water from Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and this has made it possible for us to preserve water in other traditional suppliers for future use,” said Mr Shoteri.

He urged new cane farmers to apply for water in time to enable Zinwa to avail adequate supplies.

“We have a big challenge of illegal water abstraction by some communal farmers living along canals, they are drawing water without permits and such actions have seen the end user in areas such as Mkwasine and Hippo Valley estates getting inadequate supplies,” said Mr Shoteri.

Zinwa has since issued a strong warning to villagers who unlawfully draw water, saying those caught risk imprisonment.

Sugar cane farmers who benefited under the land reform programme have been struggling to ramp up yields in the capital intensive sector owing to high costs of borrowing money for recapitalisation from banks coupled with shortage of inputs and a punitive tax regime.