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Samuel Kadungure and Luthando Mapepa
MORE than 400 boreholes have been drilled across Manicaland Province since the inception of the Presidential Rural Development Programme last year, and the programme intensified this winter, The Manica Post can reveal.
Winter is the ideal season for borehole drilling because the water table will be at its lowest and boreholes can yield enough water to last all year round.
Access to safe drinking water is crucial in rural areas, and this initiative has put an end to perennial water challenges.
The boreholes are being drilled in villages, clinics and schools that had no access to safe drinking water, and as a result will increase horticultural productivity, increase school and work attendance, improve learning outcomes, accelerate rural development and reduce health costs.
Some of the beneficiaries had been walking long distances to access the precious liquid.
In an interview with The Manica Post last week, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Deputy Minister, Honourable Davis Marapira said about 3 000 boreholes have been sunk across the country in villages that had no access to safe drinking water.
He said approximately 23 percent of the country’s population do not have access to clean and safe water, thereby prompting Government to embark on the ambitious borehole drilling programme.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is drilling and equipping a borehole in each of the country’s 35 000 villages.
The boreholes will anchor the establishment of Village Business Units (VBUs) comprising of one-hectare drip irrigated horticulture gardens, water storage reservoirs, fish ponds and where possible orchards and poultry projects.
The boreholes are also providing drinking water for villagers and livestock as well as providing water for dip-tanks.
ZINWA is working with other Government agencies like ARDA, Tobacco Research Board, Agritex, Department of Veterinary Services and the Fisheries Department in executing the programme.
“So far, we have drilled about 3 000 boreholes across the country, and we are expecting more drillers to come in to intensify the programme since we are in the ideal season.
“Currently we have about 40 drilling rigs, and we are expecting to double that so that we achieve the target of 35 000 boreholes by 2025.
“We thank President Mnangagwa who is spearheading the establishment of horticulture gardens adjacent the boreholes, which means that an additional 35 000 hectares will be added on top of the 500 000 hectares targeted for irrigation by 2025,” he said.
A total of 200 boreholes drilled under the China Aid initiative were recently commissioned and handed over to Agriculture Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, at Clare Secondary School in Odzi, by the Charge de Affaires China Embassy, Mr Cheng Yen.
In an interview, ZINWA Manicaland provincial manager, Engineer Tendayi Muyambo said another 217 boreholes have been drilled in Manicaland since the inception of the Presidential Rural Development Programme last year.
“As at July 18, a total of 217 boreholes had been sunk in Manicaland under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, and more are coming.
“Makoni had 62, Chipinge (74), Mutare (37), Buhera (18), Nyanga (11) and Mutasa (10). A total of 22 boreholes were with solar and pumps.
“The boreholes are, among other functions, providing drinking water for the communities and for the establishment of nutritional gardens, orchards, fishery projects and dip-tanks,” said Engineer Muyambo.
Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Edgars Seenza said more boreholes will be drilled in Manicaland and equipped with solar to improve rural livelihoods.
“The Presidential Rural development Programme is ongoing and set to intensify this winter, while the Chinese Government has pledged to assist with another 300 boreholes,” he said.
“These two programmes complement each other and will address the challenges of accessibility to safe water in remote areas and improve livelihoods.
“We are talking of access to water and reduced incidence of water-borne diseases. Economic activities also bounce off from the availability of water. The income levels of the people from those localities will improve as a result of the one-hectare nutrition gardens,” said Mr Seenza.
Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) Chipinge District water engineer, Engineer Collen Kazembe said the drilling of 74 boreholes in the district were in line with Government’s goal of leaving no place behind.
“Of the 74 boreholes drilled, seven VBUs were established to improve nutrition in grassroots communities where water was a challenge. As a result of the Presidential Rural Development Programme, access to water has increased to 1 268 water points.
“Of the 1 286 water points, 113 are piped water schemes, while five boreholes are gravity fed,” he said.
In Manicaland, the other VBUs were established in Chisuma, Temaruru, Tamburikayi, Hakwata, Chichesa, Mutema Secondary and at Chief Mutema’s homestead.
Zanu PF candidate for Makoni Central, Cde Shepard Nyika said the area was experiencing perennial domestic water challenges.
“Access to safe drinking water is crucial for everyone, but climate change and the droughts have not been making things any easier in Temaruru. If you go there today you will agree with President Mnangagwa that water is crucial in enhancing rural livelihoods.
“Villagers used to wake up very early in the morning to walk long distances in search of water. It is now a thing of the past and beneficiaries are now diverting their energy to more productive activities. These boreholes have impacted communities in fundamental ways,” said Cde Nyika.
One of the Temaruru project beneficiaries, Mrs Audrey Mukwewa, said the nutrition garden is playing an important role in enhancing rural food security and dietary diversity to combat malnutrition.
She said the garden has become a means of livelihoods for widows and orphans.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Plaxedes Makarutse, said they underwent training to enable them to expand, diversify and improve production.
Mrs Felistas Mwendo also hailed President Mnangagwa for his wisdom and expressed her willingness to get training as a village pump mechanic responsible for fixing minor borehole problems.
Online Reporter