Transform lives in dry region
of 28 boreholes in the seven project wards of Gwanda district.
These boreholes were equipped with solar-powered water pumping and drip irrigation systems to supply water for agricultural productivity to support 74 hectares.
Farmers have received training on good production practices, production planning, disaster risk reduction and farming as a business as well as marketing since October 2017 when the project, which ended last month, but has been extended to January 2021, was introduced.
Sukwe irrigation scheme, the biggest in Gwanda South, according to Practical Action project officer Sukwe cluster, John Siambare, operates with nine boreholes and solar and irrigation systems installed at a cost of US$196 000.
The project was started in 1963, drawing water from Sukwe Dam, but could not run all-year round due to fluctuating water levels in the dam.
But the project, with 48 members on a 23-hectare piece of land, has a thriving maize crop on 13 hectares while the remainder has horticultural crops, courtesy of Practical Action’s solar-powered irrigation system.
“I joined the project in 1986. We often skipped one or two seasons due to poor water levels in the dam.
“This is our first season using the solar-powered system and things have changed,” Peggy Moyo (60), a farmer at the Sukwe irrigation scheme, said.
“Look at our crop, our life is going to change significantly.
“If the water level is low, we can now use boreholes and plant throughout the year.
“We used to produce for subsistence farming, but we will now be able to produce some for sale.”
Sibongingosi Dube (42), a member of Zenzele solar-powered garden, said solar irrigation had transformed her life and now hopes to build a retail shop and bottle store at the nearby shopping centre using money realised from the garden.
“Poverty pushed us to join this project,” Dube said, showing off the garden with ripe tomatoes.
“I used to struggle sending my children to school, selling goats each time schools open, but the narrative has changed.
“My husband works in South Africa, he was out of employment during Covid-19 lockdowns in that country and could not even come home.
“I supported the family from this garden.
“In October alone, I raised about R8 000 from the sale of tomatoes.”
She added: “Together with my husband, we are putting up a shop and beerhall at the shopping centre and we have finished constructing the foundation.
"In three years’ time, that shop, to be named Bambanani, and the beerhall will be running, courtesy of this garden.”
Duduzile Muza (31), a mother of four who is also a stall holder farmer from Zenzele garden, has a different dream.
“In five three to five years, when you come back here, I will give you a lift back. I will be driving my own car,” Dube said.
Last month alone, Zenzele garden realised over R22 000 from the sale of tomatoes and the cooperative hopes to raise more money to buy a diesel engine to pump water to some areas not powered by the drip irrigation system.
Most of the members of the solar-powered gardens are also supporting the elderly and vulnerable members of the community, handing them free farm produce.
Jelvee Dube (63), who is a member of Titsweletsi garden running under the REEWF programme, said: “We started off with 40 members, but others failed to raise the 10% required, which amounted to US$76 per person. We are now 33.
“We are excited about our project.
“The garden has changed our lives. We used to sell goats to send our children to school, but now, we will be replacing them.
“Also, the drip irrigation system is user-friendly, imagine at my age, I used to fetch water using buckets to water the garden."
Silalele Moyo, of Mwamusisi garden in under REEWF, said: “Solar has changed our lives, no more tough labour; we no longer sell our goats.
“I sold four goats to raise the money needed for the 10% contribution. I will work hard to recover the goats and do more.”
Practical Action communications specialist Innocent Katsande said his organisation was already working on REAP 2, to ensure that smallholder farmers have continuous support.
“We are working towards securing more resources to scale up our work to improve the livelihoods of people.
“We want farmers to increase resilience to be able to fight disasters.
“We will continue to successfully secure funding to scale up the project.
“We are planning REAP 2, and at the same time, we are starting a new project, Planting for Progress, that will give us the opportunity to keep supporting the farmers.”
He said Planting for Progress would be rolled out in Gwanda and Bulilima districts.
The World Food Programme estimates that this year until the lean season is over, over eight million Zimbabweans will be in need of food aid due to repeated droughts, putting a strain on donors.
But Katsande said teaching the farmers “how to fish” was the only way to ensure sustainable development.
The World Food Programme estimates that this year until the lean season is over, over eight million Zimbabweans will be in need of food aid due to repeated droughts, putting a strain on donors.
But Katsande said teaching the farmers “how to sh” was the only way to ensure sustainable development.