Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
IN a remarkable display of agricultural prowess, Mutange Irrigation Scheme farmers have shattered records by dedicating a staggering 80 hectares to winter wheat this season.
This ambitious endeavour, spearheaded by the Government and supported by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), promises a harvest of over 400 tonnes of wheat. The profits from the harvest will be shared by members.
Situated in the heart of the Midlands province, Mutange Irrigation Scheme is set to tranform lives in Gokwe South District.
The 134- hectare scheme has been idle for years until the Government’s intervention breathed new life into it. Bolstered by Arda’s involvement, this reinvigoration symbolises the Second Republic’s steadfast commitment to rural industrialisation and underscores its determination to counter the rural-to-urban migration phenomenon that stifles growth in hinterlands.
The plans for Mutange Irrigation Scheme don’t end with the winter wheat harvest. As the rest of the centre pivots are connected, all the 134 hectares will be put under crops during the summer cropping season. The ultimate goal is to harvest 670 tonnes of maize, cementing the scheme’s prosperity under the adept management of Arda’s V30 Accelerator Model.
This farming initiative has become a game-changer for the entire province, confirming the Second Republic’s commitment to rural industrialisation. Through this transformative process, the Government aims to curtail the migration of people from rural to urban areas. To realise rural industrialisation, Government is nurturing agro-processing startups through comprehensive financial and technological support.
Arda’s pivotal involvement in the establishment of the irrigation scheme during the winter wheat cropping season cannot be overstated. After its establishment in 2017, Mutange Irrigation Scheme was idle for years afer lightning struck and damaged a 500kv transformer.
A state-of-the-art centre pivots were installed at the irrigation scheme but could not operate because there was no electricity.
Mr Samuel Chikwekwete, the chairperson of the irrigation scheme, lauded this agricultural endeavour as a lifeline for the local community. With 168 members benefiting from the scheme, their livelihoods have undergone a transformation, all thanks to the remarkable partnership with the Government.
“We are in our second year doing winter wheat crop which has proved to be a cash cow. We are grateful to the Government for this fruitful partnership. Last year we started with 65 ha under winter wheat and now we have done 80 ha which is an achievement. We thank President Mnangagwa and the Government for such an initiative and we also appreciate the land that was given to us as it is now a source of livelihood,” he said.
Mr Chikwekwete said plans are already underway to grow maize during the coming summer cropping season. By embracing the philosophy of treating farming as a business, the farmers ensure they get maximum returns from their produce.
“We are expecting 400 tonnes from the winter wheat. Already plans are underway to work on the summer maize crop. The irrigation scheme members are very happy with progress we have been making since last year. We have a manager here as we also embrace the philosophy of making farming a business,” he said.
Beyond its economic impact, the farming project also aims to tackle the scourge of drug and substance abuse among the local youth. By involving the younger generation in agricultural activities, the scheme aspires to divert their attention away from harmful habits.
“We are introducing our youths to farming so that they spend time in the fields in order to cut on drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Arda chief executive officer, Mr Tinotenda Mhiko said Mutange continues on an upward trajectory from last winter wheat as they have put 80ha under wheat this season.
“The scheme is targeting to produce 400 tonnes from this crop. We are targeting to scale up the production in the summer to 134ha as soon as the rest of the pivots are connected to power. Our target is to harvest 670 tonnes of maize this soming summer cropping season,” he said.
Mr Mhiko said the scheme continues to prosper under the management of Arda V30 Accelerator Model programme launched by President Mnangagwa at Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme in Matabeleland North.
The programme is meant to stimulate rural industrialisation through agricultural development in line with Vision 2030, which is anchored on driving the economy to attain an upper middle-income status. Under this model, Government is stimulating industrialisation of rural communities through engendering value addition and beneficiation. Each district across the country will have 200 hectares under irrigation with the beneficiaries being locals.
The establishment of Mutange Irrigation Scheme was wholly funded by the Government under the accelerated irrigation revitalisation programme aimed at promoting sustainable rural development.
The investment by the Government was rolled out through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Arda is the scheme business manager, which ensures that the beneficiary farmers run their cropping programme sustainably.
Mr Mhiko said the farmers at the scheme practise a block cropping system which maximises profits.
The model, he said, has moved the household beneficiaries from subsistence farming to surplus which is then sold to boost families’ income.
The Second Republic has made food security a top priority and is working towards a US$8,2 billion agriculture industry economy by 2023 underpinned by the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
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