Call to revive irrigation schemes

TRADITIONAL leaders in Chiredzi have exhorted Government to set aside funding for the rehabilitation of dysfunctional irrigation schemes which have the potential to add more than 2 000 hectares towards food production in the district.

Rehabilitation of the schemes will make Chiredzi food secure and end crippling shortages caused by recurrent droughts.

More than 2 000ha of irrigable land is lying idle at various schemes across the district owing to an array of challenges ranging from high power bills and collapsed irrigation infrastructure.

Chief Sengwe (Mr Lisimati Makoti) yesterday said most irrigation schemes in his area had been dysfunctional for years.

“Our communities are suffering because of poor rains which continue to be recorded here year in year out,” he said. “Previously, we used to supplement our food by growing maize, tomatoes and other crops at our irrigation schemes such as Chilonga, Magogogwe and Manjinje, among others.

“These schemes are no longer producing food as they used to do. Chilonga has been defunct for almost 12 years now. Other schemes such as Magogogwe have varying problems which range from high electricity bills, dilapidated infrastructure and unavailability of a perimeter fences to protect crops from animals.”

Similar msentiments were shared by Chief Tshovani (Mr Felix Mundau), who said his area of jurisdiction had vast fertile land which could be turned into irrigable plots.

Chief Tshovani said the presence of perennial rivers such as Save, Chiredzi and Mkwasine presented excellent prospects for irrigation.

“Save water flows everyday to the ocean, the community has recorded significant population growth and there is need for more land to be opened to irrigation to avert food shortages caused by perennial poor rains that are also affecting our livestock,’’ said Chief Tshovani.