Govt to revive Nyanje Irrigation Scheme
THE Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement is set to rehabilitate Nyanje Irrigation Scheme in Gokwe at a cost of $60 000, a Government official has said.
The irrigation schem, which is set to benefit over a 1 000 farmers, has been lying idle for over a decade.
Addressing thousands of supporters in Gokwe-Kana constituency, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube, who is also Zanu-PF candidate for the area, said the funds had already been availed and work is set to resume soon.
“Government, through the Ministry of Lands, has raised $60 000 for the rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme, which will see farming of agricultural produce being done all year round,” he said.
He said the resuscitation of the scheme was in line with the Government’s vision to revamp the agricultural sector and boost productivity.
“The irrigation scheme is not for people in the Midlands Province only, it will also benefit some farmers from Matabeleland North, which we share a border with. So it might benefit close to a 1 000 people. It is a big project that Government said should not be left lying idle,” said Minister Ncube.
He said pumps and other equipment had already been purchased for the rehabilitation work to begin.
“All the necessary equipment has already been purchased for the rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme. The pump has already been purchased and all other equipment needed,” he said.
If successful, the irrigation scheme, which draws water from Nyanje Dam, will benefit farmers from Kana, Sessame, Manoti, Nkayi, Silobela and Zhombe among other places.
Meanwhile, Minister Ncube said Government had also purchased borehole equipment to ease water shortages for the Gokwe community.
“Government purchased borehole equipment that is supposed to be used to resuscitate our boreholes in the area. So far 23 boreholes are earmarked for rehabilitation,” he said.
“We are well aware of the water challenges that the area is facing and soon, it will be a thing of the past,” he said.