Resuscitate irrigation projects, Govt urged

Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Traditional leaders here have appealed to the Government to resuscitate irrigation projects to enhance food security and minimise perennial reliance on food aid.

In an interview yesterday, Chief Tshovani (Felix Mundau) said they were worried with the state of farming around the area.

He said it was important for Government to accelerate irrigation projects such as Arda Tshovani, which is operating below capacity.

“Chiredzi is known for poor rains, but it has very rich soils which can be very productive if irrigated. As you can see at my Zunde Ramambo (Isiphala SeNkosi), I have put

2 hectares under irrigation.

“The initiative is bearing fruit. We have great potential to produce more for ourselves and for the market if we get the requisite support, both implements and technical capacity,” he said.

Chief Tshovani said Chiredzi was surrounded by many water bodies and rivers that flow throughout the year, which if put to good use would improve the district’s Gross Domestic Product.

“We have many rivers which can irrigate our land. If you look at Save River, the water is just flowing to the ocean but that can be used to improve people’s lives,” he said.

Chief Sengwe (Lisimati Willie Makoti) also weighed in saying most irrigation schemes in the district have been defunct for years crippling the growth of horticulture.

He said horticulture had the potential to improve people’s lives considering that there was a ready market for agricultural products in nearby urban settlements.

“Our irrigation schemes such as Chilonga, Magogogwe have been defunct for over 10 years. This is affecting the income levels for the community.

“It is prudent for Government to attend to the needy areas on these schemes, so that the community starts realising lost revenue base,” he said.