Chronicle Editor
Midlands Bureau
THE community of Zvegona Village in Zvishavane District has hailed the Government for introducing the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, saying it has helped boost agricultural activity and address water challenges in the area.
The ongoing scheme is part of the Presidential Rural Development Programme launched by President Mnangagwa in December 2021 at Sekusile-Makorokoro nutrition garden in Jinjika Village, Mangwe District in Matabeleland South province.
Under the programme, which is aimed at improving the availability of clean water, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is set to drill solar-powered boreholes for each of the country’s 35 000 villages by 2025.
Each village will also be empowered with a nutrition garden with a wide range of fruit trees.
The Government will also drill 9 600 boreholes for schools while each ward will have additional two boreholes for youth horticulture projects.
The programme is benefiting over 1,8 million households as the Second Republic accelerates efforts to alleviate poverty among rural communities in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The scheme has created employment for women and youths thereby improving livelihoods as outlined in the Agriculture and Food System Transformation Strategy whose thrust is to see Zimbabwe achieve an US$8,2 billion agriculture economy by 2025.
In interviews, villagers said the programme has alleviated water challenges and helped to improve nutrition and household incomes.
They praised the Government-private sector partnerships for bringing water to their doorsteps after the sinking and equipping of eight boreholes in the area.
“As villagers, we commend the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, which is a true reflection of the Second Republic’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind in the national development matrix,” said Mrs Mary Mativenga.
“This is a clear indication that we have a caring Government willing to see us develop because the availability of water means we can now do market gardens and other income-generating programmes.”
Another villager, Mr Amos Pasi said their area does not receive enough rainfall hence the drilling of boreholes comes in handy.
“We are grateful to our Government because we used to walk long distances to access clean water. It was not easy, but now we are proud of the efforts made to ensure that the majority get clean water,” he said.
“This will go a long way in alleviating the plight of people in rural areas.”
Chief Mafala said the programme has created an opportunity for villages to engage in transformative projects such as horticulture.
“Our area does not receive enough rainfall so with these boreholes we can also grow maize and sustain our families. This programme is a welcome development which will enable us to diversify,” he said.
Zvishavane-Ngezi Constituency MP, Cde Meki Jaravaza said the programme is key in uplifting standards of living in rural communities while reducing distances travelled by people.
“We managed to partner with Mr Chu so that we help our communities to fight perennial water challenges and the partnership will reduce the burden of travelling long distances in search of water by our people,” he said.
Cde Jaravaza said the programme is a confirmation of the benefits of a Government and private sector partnership.
He said apart from providing drinking water to households, the boreholes will also provide water for livestock and dip-tanks.
Online Reporter