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Dumisani Nsingo Farming Reporter
ZHULUBE Irrigation Scheme in Insiza district, Matabeleland South Province is set to become one of the few community agriculture integrated enterprises in the country.
Speaking at the official commissioning of Zhulube Irrigation Scheme aquaculture project on Thursday, the Division of Livestock Production and Development (DLPD)’s district livestock specialist, Ms Sarah Disman said apart from cereals and horticultural produce cropping and aquaculture activities, the irrigation scheme was going to engage in poultry and dairy farming.
The Zhulube aquaculture project is part of the $4,5 million European Commission funded four-year “Integrated and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Production for Improved Food Security for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe” programme launched in 2013 in eight districts namely Insiza, Binga, Kariba, Umzingwane, Masvingo, Beitbridge, Mwenezi and Hwange.
The project funding which will run up to 2017 is being implemented by World Vision International-Zimbabwe, Basilizwi Trust and Aquaculture Zimbabwe. Its overall objective is to improve the food security to 9 000 vulnerable households by creating an environment that is conducive to reducing dependency on humanitarian assistance.
“Zhulube irrigation is set to be a full-fledged integrated agriculture project. We are going to introduce a poultry project. The chicks have already been bought. We are also planning to come up with a fruit orchard as well as a dairy project.
“The chicken droppings and cow dung will be used to feed the fish as well as manure for the crops at the irrigation with the stover realised from the crops being used as feed for the cows. In 2003 irrigation members once tried to do dairy but failed,” Ms Disman said.
DLPD director Mr Bothwell Makodza said the aquaculture project was of paramount importance as it was in line with the food security and nutrition cluster enshrined in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.
“It’s (aquaculture project) community based and again the whole idea of integrating it with irrigation is that at least you are assured of the water therefore it’s going to be a sustainable type of project, which we think if looked after properly will yield the desired results,” he said.
Zhulube Fisheries secretary, Mr Lukamba Mhlanga said the cooperative was looking forward to increasing the fish ponds to five in the next six months.
World Vision integrated programmes director, Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu said the aquaculture project was implemented against a background of persistent food insecurity in the targeted districts.
“This proposed action will help improve food security, dietary diversity as well as promote market based aquaculture activities. Bearing in mind that World Vision is a child focused organisation, the aquaculture project will help improve the nutrition and health of children, particularly those who are either direct or indirect beneficiaries of this project,” he said.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Paddy Zhanda said the aquaculture project was a step in the right direction towards improving household food security and nutrition but hinted that there was a lot which needs to be done to ensure that it becomes sustainable.
derick.khumalo