adminDuring the inactivity of the irrigation scheme, which services more than 4 500 people, villagers and cattle had to travel long distances for water during the period that the irrigation scheme was not functioning.
A number of cattle died during the same period.
In a telephone interview, a farmer who only identified himself as Mr Ndlovu, said the restoration of power would enable them to concentrate on farming.
“This brings to an end a lot of anxiety because we thought we would lose our crops. We have been contributing towards the payment of the bill,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said it was pleasing to note that the irrigation scheme was back on track after years in oblivion.
He said farmers benefiting from the irrigation scheme were now on the road to attaining success.
“Long ago this irrigation scheme was the best in the country. We shall strive to return it to its former status,” Mr Ndlovu said.
He said it had taken them a long time to pay the debt and paid tribute to the farmers for contributing towards paying towards the clearance of the debt.
“It took us a long time to get here, imagine ever since 2009 without electricity farmers were struggling to make ends meet. I would like to thank the hard work that the farmers did to pay towards the clearance of the debt,” he said.
Contacted for comment the chairman of the irrigation scheme, Mr Canaan Tshuma, could neither confirm nor deny the development and said he was not at liberty to comment about the scheme as he was not in the area.
Valley Irrigation Scheme had a $43 000 Zesa bill that was threatening food security in the area.
The irrigation scheme’s pumps broke down in August 2009 and the European Union under its Irrigation Aid Scheme resuscitated the scheme last year.
It was once the pride of Kezi as it produced 1 200 tonnes of maize for a long time.
Online Reporter