Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
Farmers at the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme lost an entire 60-hectare crop when the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC) cut power over a US$7 000 debt, plunging the irrigation project into crisis.
The power outage, which lasted 23 days in January at a critical stage of crop development, crippled the irrigation and resulted in the complete drying up of the crop. An estimated 180 tonnes of maize was lost.
The devastating loss has affected more than 90 families who depend on the scheme for their livelihoods and food security. It also marks a major setback for national grain production, as the scheme failed, for the first time since its inception, to deliver maize to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Chairperson of the scheme Mrs Soneni Moyo said farmers had pleaded with ZETDC to allow a payment arrangement that would have enabled continued production while settling the debt.
“All that fell on deaf ears. We harvested nothing, as you can see. Power was switched off for about 23 days in January, and there were no rains at the time. Our irrigation is on Kalahari soil, which requires constant water supply,” she said.
Under the proposed arrangement, ZETDC would have recovered half of the proceeds from the anticipated harvest, which was 90 tonnes and with GMB buying the maize at US$350 per tonnes, it mounts to US$31 500 against a US$7 000 debt.
Mrs Moyo said as a result they have not only lost their food security but also income to pay school fees for their children as the scheme is their only source of income.
“This was our gold, where were get our money from but konke lokho asiselakho. Asivunanga lutho mntanami njengoba uzibonela,” said Mrs Moyo.
Established as a community-driven initiative to enhance food security and household incomes in Lupane, the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme has over the years been a consistent contributor to the national grain basket.
The loss is therefore not only a local disaster but also highlights the urgent need for improved coordination between utility providers and the agricultural sector.
Contacted for comment, ZETDC Acting General Manager stakeholder relations, Ms Prisca Utete, said the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme’s account has been in arrears for over two years, during which period the farmers failed to settle their outstanding electricity bill, despite being productive.
“Notwithstanding the non-payment, the utility continued to provide uninterrupted power supply for several farming seasons to support the scheme’s operations and allow farmers ample opportunity to regularise their account,” said Ms Utete.
She said the utility recognises the importance of all agricultural activities and continues to call upon all its customers to settle their electricity bills to enable seamless service provision and a sustained national grid.
“ZETDC remains committed to supporting national food security and the success of local farming initiatives through the provision of electricity,” said Ms Utete.
Despite the setback, farmers say they are determined to recover and have already begun preparations for the winter wheat season.
“Our spirits are low following this huge loss, but we are ready to pick ourselves up. We will start planting wheat on the same 60 hectares next week, and the process will take about a week,” said Mrs Moyo.
Working with the support of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), the farmers are hoping to harvest 240 tonnes of wheat.
However, production capacity remains constrained. Vice-chairperson of the scheme, Mr Viocy Nxumalo, said although they had planned to plant 180 hectares, only 60 hectares will be utilised due to water supply challenges.
“We have three centre pivots, but only one is working. The suction point was installed at the lower end of the dam, where water levels drop quickly. This causes the pumps to suck in mud, choking the impeller and limiting the system’s ability to supply water to all three pivots,” he said.
The reduction in the planted hectare may affect the province’s target of 3 000 ha of planted winter wheat while Arda irrigation schemes have an ambitious target of 65 000 ha. At national level, preparations for winter cropping are in full swing, with Government targeting 140 500 ha under wheat, barley and Irish potatoes to yield a staggering 956 350 tonnes of yield expected. Of this 125 000 with a projected national output of 662 500 tonnes is for winter wheat.
Situated in Mpofu Village under Chief Mabhikwa, the 200-hectare Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme is one of the flagship projects under the Second Republic.
Once barren land, it has become a model of rural industrialisation in line with Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
In 2021, the scheme was selected as a pilot for an integrated business model that Government intends to replicate across 450 irrigation schemes nationwide.
Situated in Mpofu Village under Chief Mabhikwa, the 200-hectare Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme has become one of the flagship Government projects under the Second Republic.
Once barren land, it now stands as a model of rural industrialisation and development in line with Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
In 2021, the scheme was chosen as a pilot project for an integrated business model, which the Government aims to replicate across 450 irrigation schemes across the country.
ZETDC cannot be allowed to get away with “murder” of a whole community. This is bullying and abuse of monopoly at its highest. There were other ways of forcing the consumer to settle the bill. Going to small claims court, attaching harvests and or property were some of the means to force payment. No, this was evil of ZETDC. It must feel ashamed of doing such a primitive thing in this time and age.