Irrigation scheme gets new lease of life

GOVERNMENT is in the process of re-establishing Nyambudzi Irrigation Scheme in Mbire, which will see 80-hectares being put under irrigation during the second half of the year.

The $700 000 project is part of the Department of Irrigation’s national accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development programme that is set to increase irrigated area and to correct historical imbalances in land, water and irrigation technology utilisation among different farming sectors.

Acting Mashonaland Central provincial irrigation engineer Engineer Blessward Chandiringa said in Mbire District, two sites were scoped, Kanyemba and Nyambudzi.

“We dropped the Kanyemba project for this year because of challenges to do with the poor road network and lack of electricity,” he said.

“Designs for Nyambudzi Irrigation Project are ongoing.

“Nyambudzi was selected because of the availability of key utilities such as electricity, less prevalence of wild animals, no specialised fencing is required, easy accessibility for supervision and a large catchment area for labour.”

Eng Chandiringa said the proposed area to be irrigated is 80 hectares and will have a centre pivot.

The first phase of the project in Mashonaland Central is at various stages of implementation and will have either centre pivots or semi-portable sprinklers.

The projects include Mwenje in Mazowe (105 hectares), Eben in Shamva (200ha), Maparo in Bindura (180ha), Masembura in Bindura (22ha), Gwingwizha in Mazowe (20ha) and Vuka in Muzarabani (120ha).

The projects are at implementing, tendering or have site visits completed.

The second phase of the projects, which is on designing stages include Velvekia in Guruve (80ha), Nyamusewe in Guruve (80ha), Everton in Mt Darwin (80ha) and Chinehasha in Mazowe (20ha).

“The targeted 200ha per district will be complemented through interventions from development partners.

“Project monitoring will be undertaken by the Department of Irrigation,” said Eng Chandiringa.