Mat South solar powered irrigation scheme thriving

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter

FARMERS operating at Makuzeze Small Irrigation Scheme in Mangwe District are recording brisk business through their solar-powered project which has become a source of farm produce for the surrounding community.

The irrigation scheme was established two years ago with the assistance of Dabane Trust after villagers realised that there was land lying idle in their area and through their ward councillor requested for assistance in establishing the irrigation scheme.

Makuzeze Irrigation Scheme has become a source of livelihood for farmers and food source for surrounding communities.

The farmers have maize, sugar beans and vegetables on their two hectare irrigation scheme. It has 20 farmers.

A farmer at the irrigation scheme, Mr Pilate Dube said the project has helped to ensure that they have a reliable source of income.

“We were struggling to fend for our families as villagers.

In the past we relied on rain fed agriculture but of late it hasn’t been doing well because of poor rains.

We didn’t have an irrigation scheme in our area.

We then approached the councillor and told her that we wished to start an irrigation scheme and then she linked us with an investor; Dabane Trust,” he said.

Mr Dube added: “The irrigation scheme was established in 2020 and it has helped ensure food and nutrition security within our households.

At the moment we have sugar beans, maize crop and vegetables.

We are in the process of harvesting our maize crop and soon we will be harvesting sugar beans. We sell some of our produce to surrounding schools and communities.”

Ms Talent Moyo who is a farmer at Makuzeze Irrigation Scheme said Dabane Trust assisted them with material for the project while the community provided labour.

She said the irrigation scheme gets its water from Embakwe River through sand abstraction.

Ms Moyo said a solar powered system was installed at the irrigation and taps which they were using to water their crops. She said they were also trained on how to embark on farming as a business.

“Before we started producing we received training on how to conduct proper farming for business purposes.

We knew that we were supposed to do our farming in a systematic manner and have a variety of crops.

Before we do our planting we select crops that will give us money,” Ms Moyo said.

She added: “Our desire is to expand our irrigation as times goes on and to introduce a variety of crops.

This project is really helping us to sustain our families. We have a lot of customers coming over to buy our produce.”

Mangwe Rural District council chairperson, Clr Sindisiwe Nleya said Makuzeze Irrigation Scheme has significantly contributed towards ensuring food and nutrition security within the community.

She said the community was also working on reviving Tjingababili Irrigation Scheme which was being underutilised.