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Conrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau
AT least 100 families from the Donain community in Muzvezve near Kadoma, now have a new lease of life, since a 100-hectare irrigation scheme has kicked off.
Completion of the Government-funded irrigation project is scheduled for this monthend, with most of the work including drawing electricity some 9km away, the setting up of two centre pivots on two different fields and a new pump station, is already in place.
Land clearing has already been done, with levelling of the field expected to take place soon.
Maka Engineering representative, Engineer Gerald Mhakayakora, whose company has been contracted on the project, said outstanding works would be achieved by monthend, before the project is handed over to beneficiaries.
“The contract included the erection of a power line to the pump station, establishment of the station, fixing the centre pivots and clearing the land using capital machinery and we have done all that,” he said.
“We are now only waiting for the removal of felled trees from the land because we cannot connect the system if they are there.”
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development director, Mr Abraham Mashumba, was upbeat that the project will be achieved within the set target under the 100-Day project cycle.
“We are here to ensure that the reports match what’s on the ground. Since the contractor has indicated readiness to handover the project to beneficiaries this month, our hope is that they will stick to their promise,” he said.
Irrigation Department provincial engineer, Mandirega Siakiya, said the irrigation model was going to run as a commercial business entity overseen by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).
“The contractor’s terms are limited to the engineering works and land clearance. The other partner in this project is ARDA and the authority is responsible for supervising the project and tillage services.
“There is no individual who will be allocated their own piece of land within the scheme but you will operate as shareholders with equal equity,” he explained.
Community members welcomed the irrigation model, saying they were ready to start production.
“We are ready to work and provide for our nation but we appeal for the provision of machinery to level the land and fill up some gullies, move off the field large trees that were felled as well as remove large boulders from the cleared fields,” said Mr Tafadzwa Shumba.
“It’s good that the puzzle has been cleared on how the fields will be levelled. We were worried that it would be difficult to till the land in its current state. The felled trees in the fields can not be removed using manual labour. They need machinery so we are happy that you have explained that the contractor will remove them and level the fields,” another beneficiary said.
Another community member, Ms Caroline Chipashu, said she hopes to see the project being handed over to the community soon.
In his remarks, Director in the Office of the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Douglas Chiwiro, said the project was in line with Vision 2030 which aims to transform the country into an upper middle income society.
Online Reporter