Farmers seek help to de-silt Save River

Luthando Mapepa
Beneficiaries of Chibuwe-Msikavanhu Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge are appealing to corporates to assist them acquire modern equipment to de-silt Save River.

The farmers, who have been using traditional means to divert water, say they are slowly losing the battle as the amount of water reaching their farms has dwindled.

A visit by The Manica Post to Save River this week, revealed that a sizeable a number of farmers were using hoes, shovels and empty bags to divert water.

Chibuwe/Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme is one the leading producers of sugar beans in the country with the capacity of producing thousands of tonnes of sugar beans per season.

The farmers said they were taking shifts to irrigate their farms as water supply is low, adding that erratic electricity supply also interrupted their irrigating schedule.

Mr Edmore Mabika, one of the leading sugar bean producers at the scheme, said winter crops were at risk.

“We are in a critical situation. Some of the sugar beans are wilting because of the unreliable distribution of water.

“Farmers here have no money to hire modern equipment to de-silt the river and we are using traditional ways to divert water to the pumps. If this situation continues to prevail, many farmers here will record loses,” he said.

Another farmer Mr Fainos Dhliwayo of Musikavanhu Block B said there should be a unity of purpose for farmers along the banks of the river to work together to de-silt Save. He also appealed to the cooperate world to come to the rescue.

“Winter cropping is the season which defines us. We grow our cash crops during winter and use the proceeds to pay water and electricity bills among others. However, this season is now affected by siltation,” he said.

“We call upon local companies to come and assist us in this situation since they own heavy machinery. We need to have long term strategies so that this situation does not become a perennial problem.”

Local legislator for Musikavanhu constituency Dr Joshua Murire said he had managed to source some equipment to assist the farmers.

“Together with farmers’ cooperatives, we have managed to source modern equipment which will attend the problem this week. We need to make this irrigation scheme regain its old status,”he said.