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Ellen Chasokela in Binga
Over 200 families are set to benefit from the resuscitation of the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme which is being rehabilitated by the District Development Fund (DDF).
The irrigation scheme had been lying idle for a while, resulting in food challenges.
Experimental cropping in the last two years was heavily affected by moisture stress due to limited pumping owing to faulty pipes and electricity challenges.
In an interview after touring the irrigation scheme, DDF’s Matebeleland North Provincial coordinator Mr Lawrence Ndebele said the rehabilitation work was progressing well and will be done by year end.
“DDF’s mandate is to provide rural infrastructure and here we are constructing roads, one that leads from the scheme to the river where we get water for the irrigation.
“So far 60 percent of the road work in the scheme has been completed. This area is mountainous so there are a lot of rivers around thus we are constructing 18 crossings to ensure that there is accessibility to the scheme. There are 38 cultivates in the scheme and seven are now complete.
“At the moment we have not started on the irrigation scheme, we are waiting for the pipes to be supplied so that we start working on the irrigation work,” he said.
Mr Ndebele added that upon completion, the community is going to benefit in terms of employment creation and food security.
The economy of Binga is going to grow from this scheme. Sinakoba 2 village head Mr Benson Mwunga said the irrigation scheme was their only solution to hunger challenges in the district.
“Last year we managed to get produce from the scheme but only for a short time because the pipes kept bursting so the project did not work to its full capacity.”
Online Reporter