Chronicle Editor
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
RAINS that have been pounding most parts of the country have brought relief to farmers at Mushandike Irrigation Scheme near Masvingo, whose farming activities had almost ground to a halt due to lack of water.
The irrigation scheme situated about 20 kilometres from Masvingo along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway used to be the major supplier of fresh farm produce to the markets in the city.
Recurrent droughts had forced authorities to decommission Mushandike Dam, which was supplying the irrigation scheme with water.
However, latest statistics from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) showed that Mushandike Dam is now 15,24 percent full registering a 12,08 percent change since October last year and 10,52 percent change since April this year.
Mushandike Irrigation Scheme chair Mr Denhere Bhusvumani said the rains have brought relief to the farmers.
“Water is now present in the main storage, the Mushandike Dam and by January next year we are going to be planting our wheat, if the rains continue like these. With the amount of rain, we are receiving if we get enough inputs we are going to produce just like any other good years,” he said.
Mr Bhusvumani said there was a Non-Governmental Organisation that was willing to assist the irrigation scheme but had stopped citing shortage of water.
He said with such a significant improvement they are hoping that the organisation would come and assist them as it has assisted those in Chilonga and Mwenezi.
The Government, however, is working on the construction of a canal linking Muzhwi and Mushandike dams to ensure continued water supply to farmers in the irrigation scheme. The water will be using the force of gravity to Mushandike hence averting the cost of pumping.
Meanwhile, according to the recent dam levels statistics Zinwa, Masvingo city’s sole water supply body, Mutirikwi Dam which is the second largest inland dam after Tugwi-Mukosi is now 29,97 percent full while Tugwi-Mukosi is 43,16 percent full.
Online Reporter