Chronicle EditorRutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Correspondent
FARMERS in Matabeleland South Province have called on the Government to avail land as they seek to expand their irrigation schemes ahead of the completion of Lake Gwayi-Shangani and its pipeline project.
This comes amid revelations that upon completion pressure will be eased on Bulawayo’s other supply dams which are all situated in Matabeleland South, with the water now being used for other purposes including irrigation. Lake Gwayi-Shangani which is more than 70 percent complete is expected to supply Bulawayo and ease its perennial water challenges while also transforming the entire Matabeleland region into a green belt.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka reiterated last Friday during a tour of Lake Gwayi-Shangani site that upon completion, the project will have a far-reaching impact.
“The Lake Gwayi-Shangani project will be felt beyond Matabeleland North and beyond Bulawayo as dams in Matabeleland South supplying Bulawayo with water will be released for other projects. The impact will be felt everywhere in Zimbabwe as we journey towards 2030 into a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy,” said Dr Masuka.
He said the construction of the dam should ignite rural industrialisation where communities will have access to clean water, electricity and food security. The development has the potential of securing the country’s food security and returning to its status as the breadbasket of Southern Africa.
Matabeleland South falls under region five which receives less than 650mm of rainfall on average annually, with uneven distribution hence the need for irrigation schemes. The below average rainfall patterns coupled with climate change is placing increasing stress on the livelihoods of people living in the country’s drylands. Thus, irrigation has long been seen as a means to improving food security in areas with unpredictable rainfall, and is now being promoted as a component in adaptation strategies.
Addressing traditional leaders in Esigodini recently, Zanu-PF second secretary Cde Kembo Mohadi said: “The Gwayi-Shangani dam and water pipeline are now at a very advanced stage of development. The Zambezi water will be drawn to the huge lake then to Bulawayo to solve their water challenges. The dams that have been supplying Bulawayo in this province will be decommissioned and will now fully support irrigation schemes in the province.”
Mtshabezi, Umzingwane, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Insiza and Inyakuni are dams that have over the years supplied Bulawayo with water. Once decommissioned, these will play a pivotal role in transforming the region into a green belt.
Speaking during a media tour of some of the irrigation schemes in Umzingwane District recently, the area Member of Parliament, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Levi Mayihlome said it was his hope that certain areas in the district could get land to expand the already existing schemes.
“We hope that once Lake Gwayi-Shangani has been completed and the Zambezi water gets to Bulawayo, all the water from Mzingwane, Mtshabezi and Ncema will be released for irrigation purposes in Matabeleland South and Umzingwane in particular. We hope that areas like Mbalabala and Malungwane can get land to expand irrigation schemes in order to increase productivity,” said Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mayihlome.
Irrigation projects are also set to be established along the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline which will also boost food production in Matabeleland North.
Online Reporter