Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
BENEFICIARIES of Chitora 1 Irrigation Scheme in Mutoko District have made significant progress in transforming their lives, thanks to Government’s support for their agricultural activities.
The Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, is supporting irrigation schemes across the country, an initiative aimed at empowering communities and ensuring food security for the nation.
Chitora 1 has 18 beneficiaries, and each has 0.5 ha.
These beneficiaries are not deterred from maximising production because of the size of the land, with their efforts now bearing fruit such that even big companies and wholesalers in Zimbabwe are buying horticultural produce from them.
They have even penetrated Mozambique markets.
Recently, acting chief director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Leanard Munamati, visited the scheme to assess progress as well as meeting farmers to hear their challenges as well as successes.
“Today we have visited Chitora Irrigation Scheme in Mutoko to assess progress in terms of their horticulture production. There is a lot of horticulture production at this scheme and we have seen a lot of carrots, peas, tomatoes and baby marrows. So we are happy about what they are doing here.
“My appeal and encouragement is for farmers to continue maximising on production and feed the market. They must increase production so as to meet demand. They should make money at their irrigation scheme. We are excited that they are already linked to markets and this is good.
“We have since recommended that farmers here practice block system which will give them more area and more production so that they can meet demand from various interested companies. We also encouraged them to think of modernising the scheme,” Mr Munamati said.
He commended farmers for working hard and transform their livelihoods.
“We heard that these farmers are now creating a lot of employment for local people. They are making money for themselves and we are told a lot of them have built beautiful homes and are sending their children to better schools.
“These farmers are also selling their produce to local people, therefore they are contributing much to food security.”
The chairman of the Chitora 1 irrigation scheme, Mr Garikai Muchena, said they work closely with agriculture extension officers.
He added that ever since they started farming, they have seen transformation in beneficiaries lives.
“Most of our beneficiaries are building beautiful homes here. There is a suburb which is growing nearby as people build houses. We are creating employment for the people especially during planting and harvesting periods.
“Also the living standards for us farmers has improved. We live just like those in towns, we have solar boreholes at our homes, some have bought cars, some are sending children to boarding schools.”
