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Victor Maphosa, Mashonaland East Bureau
Measures including climate change mitigation will continue to be pursued by Government to ensure food security at household and national levels, Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo, has said.
He made the remarks this week during a visit to the Saparanyambuya Irrigation Scheme in Mutawatawa, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) district to see progress on the implementation of the crucial project as well as draw lessons for areas of improvement.
Dr Gumbo challenged farmers under the scheme to use the land and ensure food security and improved livelihoods adding that the Government has established the scheme for them to meet those objectives.
“The project is one of the successful interventions established across the country as a mitigatory measure put in place by the Government to ensure food security,” he said.
“Additionally, the Government continues to demonstrate support towards strengthening the resilience of the agriculture sector by continually pushing irrigation development and rehabilitation.
“It is crucial to remember that the development of irrigation is essential to guaranteeing food and income security at household and national levels, which directly contributes to the broader economic growth and national sovereignty.”
Dr Gumbo commended the farmers for the progress they have made to date on the scheme.
During the establishment of the scheme, he said, people with different skills were employed in a move that improves their living standards.
Over the past few months, the irrigation scheme has increased land productivity and crop diversification.
Farmers are now growing cereal crops such as maize in summer and wheat in winter.
There is now perennial production of cash crops like cucumbers and watermelons.
Dr Gumbo said the irrigation scheme has unlocked the potential of small-scale subsistence farmers to contribute positively towards sustainable food security solutions rather than relying on donor funding for food handouts.
He appealed to beneficiaries to use water from the Saparanyambuya Dam sparingly.
Beneficiaries of the scheme commended the Government for the project, which they said has already started bearing fruits.
“This project has transformed our livelihoods. Before this, we used to only grow crops once per year and we would wait for the rains to come. But look now, we are even growing winter wheat and other cash crops. We are earning some money to sustain our families.
“Youths are no longer idle here, they are kept busy working for themselves,” said Mr Tichaona Chiutsi.
Mrs Abigale Chitupa said her family is now food secure as a result of the project, adding that domestic violence cases have declined as people are always busy and we have no time to fight.
Online Reporter