Irrigation scheme turns idle arable land into beacon of hope

BUBI-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Kusile District, Matabeleland North Province, has turned into a beacon of hope for nearly 100 families in Mpofu Village under Chief Mabhikwa area.

For 10 years, the vast tract of arable land was lying idle despite its huge potential to improve the locals’ livelihoods.

Today, the irrigation scheme has been turned into a green belt. It is one of the flagship Government projects that symbolises hope for nearly 100 families.

The irrigation scheme directly benefits 90 families and is generating employment in Lupane through value addition. Students at Lupane State University also do their practicals at the irrigation scheme.

The irrigation scheme draws its water from the 40 million cubic metre Bubi-Lupane Dam. The 200-hectare Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme has become a game changer following its revival by Government through the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda).

This year the farmers at the scheme put 180 hectares under winter wheat and are expecting to harvest between 5-6 tonnes per hectare.

Revitalised three years ago, Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme has transformed subsistence agriculture into commercial agriculture in line with the thrust for rural industrialisation.

Villagers said in just three years, the irrigation scheme has transformed them from poverty to families that have regular incomes.

The district is generally sandy and for years families had to rely on Government food hand-outs.

The irrigation scheme was in 2020 identified as a pilot project for an integrated business model to be replicated at 450 irrigation schemes across the country as the Second Republic accelerated rural development and industrialisation.

In September 2021, President Mnangagwa launched the Arda Vision 2030 accelerator model programme at the scheme.

Under the model, each district across the country will have 200 hectares under irrigation with the beneficiaries being locals.

In interviews, plot-holders said they are expecting a bumper yield from their winter wheat crop.

They said they expect to harvest the crop between September and October.

The chairperson of the scheme Mr Gerald Khumalo said they were excited and eagerly awaited the harvesting season.

“We started off as a group of 45 plot-holders three years ago but today our scheme has 90 farmers. Our good first harvest attracted more people to join us,” he said.

Mr Khumalo said the irrigation scheme has created employment for locals, among them widows.

“As a local community, we are grateful to the Government under the Second Republic, which is led by President Mnangagwa for the infrastructural developments at the scheme.

“A lot of money was channelled towards this project, which is a confirmation of Government’s commitment to address the issue of food security and unemployment,” he said.

Mr Khumalo said through the irrigation scheme they are now able to feed their families and send their children to school as they are paid dividends after every harvest.

“We took a leap of faith because we trusted President Mnangagwa’s vision to turn our livelihoods around. He is a leader and has great foresight. From our first harvest, we realised $250 000, which was about US$1 000 each and this has enabled us to take care of our families,” he said.

Mr Khumalo said they were working closely with Agritex officers and Arda.

“We are grateful to President Mnangagwa’s vision and the knowledge and skills we acquire from Agritex and Arda.

“We are now into commercial farming which is boosting our incomes. Once we harvest the crop, we take it to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB),” he said.

Mr Khumalo said lifestyles of members of the scheme have been transformed as they are now able to buy household property and livestock.

He said the irrigation scheme will soon be expanded by an additional 180 hectares so that more families benefit.

Another villager Miss Sinikiwe Moyo said they were looking forward to harvesting their winter wheat and selling it to the GMB.

“This is a dream come true. Now I can live life the way I want because I can now afford to take care of my family.

“This scheme has helped us a lot and I am now able to pay fees for my children and buy other basics like food and clothes,” she said.

Ms Sikhulile Moyo, a mother of four, said the irrigation scheme has transformed lives in Lupane and generated employment.

“Lupane State University students are already doing their practicals here,” she said.

Councillor Betty Sibanda said the irrigation scheme has empowered women.

“When this irrigation started functioning last year, farmers planted sugar beans and small grains and they managed to sell the produce and raised money for school fees among other necessities. We now have wheat which will soon be harvested,” she said.

Clr Sibanda said the irrigation scheme was a game changer when it comes to women empowerment.