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Dumisani Nsingo Senior Farming Reporter
THE Department of Irrigation has tilled more than 100 hectares at the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme paving way for planting within the next two months. The developmnent also marks the beginning of farming activities at the Binga irrigation scheme which have been on hold since it was initiated more than a decade ago. Matabeleland provincial chief irrigation engineer Charles Makhula said 100 hectares were part of the irrigation scheme’s first phase aimed at putting 250 hectares under crop this summer season.
The irrigation scheme is part of the Zambezi Green Valley (Zagreva) project, which was officially launched in 2006 and seeks to ensure a green belt in areas along the Zambezi River stretching from Kazungula to Kariba and has been hailed as a major step towards addressing the country’s perennial food shortages.
First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe took over the supervision of the irrigation scheme this year, resulting in tangible progress.
The first phase measuring 250 hectares has a budget of $2 million and would be utilised for the cropping of cereals as well as soya and sugar beans.
“We have already ploughed 100 hectares and expect to start cropping activities by November. The centre pivots to be used for irrigating the area are on their way from Harare.
“Fortunately it doesn’t take a lot of time to install the centre pivots and we are likely to crop the maize on time if all goes well. Other implements and inputs are being put together by the suppliers,” Eng Makhula said.
He said an additional 30 hectares have also been cleared.
“The clearing of the land is going on hand in hand with the excavation work in preparation for the construction of a pump station and seven F14 houses to accommodate those who will be based at the irrigation scheme,” he said.
Eng Makhula said the Department of Irrigation has been forced to approach the State Procurement Board to flight an advertisement for tender for electricity connections following a number of irregularities with the Rural Electrification Authority.
“REA wanted us to pay a lot of money, which they were failing to justify for the networking of power in various supply points thus we have since applied to SPB seeking permission to tender for this and we are expecting its response this week (last week),” he said.
He said Environmental Guardians Services (EGS), the firm which was tasked to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment had completed its consultations and findings and submitted its report to the Environmental Management Agency.
“I can confirm that an EIA report has been completed, in actual fact it’s an Environmental Management Plan because there are already activities taking place on the ground and we are likely to implement or factor in whatever will be recommended,” Eng Makhula said.
EGS senior consultant, Mr Michael Montana confirmed that an EIA report had been submitted to EMA with a response being expected within 60 working days.
“We sent the EIA report for Bulawayo Kraal last week and it’s undergoing a review by EMA and their officials are expected to visit Binga for cross reference soon. Legislatively they are supposed to review the (EIA) book and comment with 60 working days,” he said.
EGS carried out the EIA for free after being recommended to do so by the Minister of Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland North Ambassador Cain Mathema, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
The company is one of the country’s reputable environment consultancy firms having carried out a number of EIAs for various institutions across economic sectors mostly in Matabeleland region and the Midlands Province.
Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme has already been allocated five tractors, three disc ploughs, three planters, 75 knapsack sprays and eight water pumping units under Brazil’s More Food for Africa funding programme.
Meanwhile, Eng Makhula said two district irrigation schemes in Bubi that have been under construction for close to a decade are set to be commissioned before the end of the year.
He said construction of Pollards (now known as Ilamba) and Hauke irrigation schemes, with a combined average budget of $2 million each was expected to be completed before the end of the year.
“We are about to finish all the two projects, construction of water canals at both schemes has been completed and what is left is levelling the landscape with about 50 percent of the work left at Ilamba while 60 percent is still to be worked on at Hauke.
“The commissioning of these projects has been delayed over the years because the Treasury has been releasing smaller tranches of the required total budget. Under normal circumstances these schemes could have been completed in two years,” Eng Makhula said.
Bubi district just like other districts in the Matabeleland North is characterised by low rainfall compared to other areas.
The land is also less fertile than other provinces, as commercial crops cannot be grown and rural farmers usually cannot produce enough maize to feed their families.
“Our first production constraint as a province is moisture and the second one is soil fertility. So the coming up of these irrigation schemes will address these factors because we will be assured of a potential harvest.
“Our province is also drought prone and even when it rains the distribution is very poor resulting in poor harvest and the only ideal option is to maximise on irrigation production,” said Matabeleland North’s Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) provincial officer, Mr Dumisani Nyoni.
He also said the two irrigation schemes would go a long way towards enhancing household food security and creating employment opportunities in the district.
Bongani Ndlovu