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Stanely Mushava recently in BUHERA
BUHERA South villagers are set to benefit from the resuscitation of irrigation schemes in the area being spearheaded by Government officials who handed over intake pumps recently.
Irrigation schemes that have benefited so far include Bonda, Nenhowe and Nyanyadzi which received a 350 horse power intake pump each after lying idle for the last 15 years.
Development supervisor of Bonda Irrigation Scheme Mr Jesto Manenge welcomed the revival of the scheme.
“Villagers in Buhera have not realised significant produce since 2008,” said Mr Manenge.
“The revival of the irrigation scheme means the community will no longer depend on handouts as it has a catchment of 910 families.”
Chairperson of the irrigation scheme, Mr Oswell Madudze, said the pumps were advanced than the ones they used.
“Each pump draws 1 000 litres of water per minute and can propel water 70 metres upwards, which is a bonus because our highest target is 26 metres,” he said.
Bonda irrigation scheme will service 364 hectares, while a further 246 hectares are yet to be utilised.
Buhera South legislator Cde Joseph Chinotimba launched a pro-poor food scheme dubbed “Zunde raMP” to alleviate hunger.
Wheat Star milling company directors Dr Zulfiqar Sarfraz and Mr Akram Rana attended the Zunde raMP launch where they donated a bag of flour each to some of the senior citizens present.
Under the scheme launched recently, 364 farmers in Bonda received 10kg maize seed each and would be required to contribute 50kg of a potential two-tonne harvest to the less privileged.
“The people are starving and most of them are surviving on baobab porridge,” said Cde Chinotimba.
“While the rest of the country has moved forward, people in Buhera are still without food.
“The worst-hit are the elderly, widows and orphans who cannot fend for themselves. It is these people we are reaching out to. We are saying to farmers that we give them the seed and they give back only one bag of maize to the disadvantaged after harvest.”
Addressing farmers at the launch of the scheme, Cde Chinotimba said: “You cannot continue to live on handouts forever. We have given you the means to help subsist as a community.
“We will continue sourcing more seed and fertiliser, but you must honour these efforts by working hard to arrest hunger in the constituency.”
Chief Elijah Chamutsa hailed the Zunde raMP initiative as a creative response to drought which he said other legislators should consider.
A farmer in the area, Mr Christopher Makaripe said: “The Agriculture Ministry and the MP have extended to us a lifeline we all needed. We are determined as farmers to take advantage of such incentives to production and contribute our part in alleviating hunger.”
Online Reporter