Online Reporter
Binga District has, for far too long, been unnecessarily a byword for poverty, food insecurity and underdevelopment.
We say that view is unnecessary because the Matabeleland North district is rich in minerals as well as tourism and agriculture potential. It is located along the Zambezi River, one of southern Africa’s biggest water systems, and on the side of Lake Kariba.
With such an abundance of water, Binga must not suffer any hunger. Just harness a fraction of it for irrigation to fill the people’s bellies and lift them out of poverty.
It has taken some time but we see credible steps in that direction. More work is ongoing at the 15 000-hectare (ha) Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme which draws its water from the Zambezi.
At least 250ha have been cleared and tilled, we report elsewhere in this issue. Construction of the main pump house has been completed with booster pumps already installed. Preparations are being made to grow sunflower this year both under irrigation and dry land.
In addition to the Zambezi and Kariba, Binga has yet another immense water body, Lake Gwayi-Tshangani whose construction is ramping up.
About 52km of its 69km pushback will be in Binga with the remainder in neighbouring Hwange District.
We are glad that the Government has started preliminary works to establish two irrigation schemes to be watered by the lake. The process of drawing up a masterplan and an environmental and social impact assessment for the projects to be 100ha in extent each, is now underway, according to Binga District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Land Kabome.
“To enhance food sufficiency, Binga District was offered two irrigation schemes, each measuring 200 hectares close to the Gwayi-Tshangani project site,” he said.
“Work is underway to facilitate the project, including the drawing up of a master plan as well as an environmental and social impact assessment.”
It is vital that the initial steps to deliver two more irrigation schemes to Binga have been made, for we know that, in life generally, the most difficult part of any task is to start it; once one starts the task, the task is as good as done.
Authorities are encouraged to replicate the speed and commitment which delivered 9 706 projects countrywide between 2018 and June this year.
We note the decision that the Government has taken to release $5million monthly towards the construction of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani.
This demonstrates a commitment to ensure that the landmark is finished as soon as possible so that it can impound the water that it must to water the two planned irrigation schemes in Binga and others along a proposed pipeline from the lake to Bulawayo.
Yes, resources are always tight which is why the Government has collaborated with partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Opec Fund for International Development to build and rehabilitate multiple irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South.
The planned irrigation schemes in Binga, we suggest, must be prioritised for similar collaboration and quicker delivery to promote food security, poverty eradication and development in the district.
