dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Water levels in some dams, mainly in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East, have risen as a result of inflows realised from the recent rains, although the total held by all major dams continues to inch down, but with more than enough water for early irrigation requirements.
The rises were recorded in Chivero, Amapongokwe, Gwenoro, Mtshabezi, Shurugwi Dam, Mazowe, Kushinga Phikhelela, Padre’s Pool, Nyamafufu, Dziva and Biri.
But levels in major dams generally continue to decline as water is used for irrigation and urban use and the rains remain low level.
As of October 18, the major dams held 78,8 percent of their combined capacity, a 0,19 percent drop since October 11.
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga told the irrigating community and other raw water users that the dams had sufficient water to meet the country’s early summer irrigation requirements.
“Those intending to irrigate using water from ZINWA-managed and Zinwa-owned dams are therefore advised to ensure that they have water abstraction agreements as is required by the law,” she said.
“The authority will not release any irrigation water for those farmers without water abstraction agreements.”
Water abstraction agreements make it possible and easier for ZINWA to efficiently and sustainably allocate the available water among competing uses.
In the Gwayi catchment area, Bubi-Lupane is 69,1 percent full, Ngwenya 53,3 percent, Insukamini 73,1 percent, Pollards 61,8 percent, Khami 87,1 percent and Exchange 30,9 percent.
In Manyame catchment, Chivero is 76,1 percent full, Lake Manyame 88,1 percent, Harava 22,4 percent, Biri 88,1 percent and Mazvikadei 90,2 percent.
In Mazowe catchment, Mazowe Dam is 70,5 percent full, Kushinga Phikhelela Dam 78,9 percent and Masembura Dam 94,9 percent.
In the Mzingwane catchment, Mtshabezi Dam is at 75,8 percent, Mzingwane Dam 6,5 percent, Upper Ncema 23,9 percent and Lower Ncema 29,4 percent.
Zimbabwe has the capacity to irrigate over 220 000 hectares of crops this season using water from the dams.
This move will guarantee national food security and enhance national strategic grain reserves in face of El Nino conditions expected to bring reduced rains this season.
Government is targeting 460 irrigation schemes towards maize as efforts to improve agricultural production are escalated to mitigate effects of climate change.
This season, about 90 000ha of potential irrigation have been identified for maize as the Government scale up efforts to boost food production in face of El Nino season.
Farmers are optimistic that they will undertake massive farming and boost agricultural production following construction of dams by the Second Republic.
Silobela residents praised Vungu Dam construction, saying the development will go a long way in alleviating poverty and hunger in the community.
Headman of Ward 25, Mr Kossana Nkiwane, said they were grateful to have a dam that will sustain the families in the community.
“Water is life, hence this project will enable us to earn a living because we can now grow different types of crops which are essential for our living,” he said.
“Children can now go to school because we can acquire cash from our produce to send them to school. We are very grateful for the Government for this initiative.”
Mrs Joyline Mawurukira of Guruve indicated that dams will provide water to the surrounding communities as well as create jobs for local communities.
She said Dande Dam will provide irrigation and also provide water for household and industrial use in Guruve and Mbire areas.
“It is also going to provide tourism, fishing and food sufficiency in the districts. People are going to benefit a lot,” said Mrs Mawurukira.
“Once this area is irrigated people will get food and their lives will be improved as their hardships will be eliminated.
“School drop outs will be also eliminated and the community will also benefit from good food like fish.”
The Second Republic is constructing dams across the country to address water challenges and also climate-proof the agricultural sector which remains the mainstay of the country’s economy.
Online Reporter