Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo recently in Binga
THE Saba Green Valley Irrigation Scheme in Binga District, Matabeleland North, is making significant strides in empowering local communities.
The irrigation scheme was established under the agriculture component of the Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Programme (Cawep) and is being implemented through a partnership between the Zimbabwe Government and United Kingdom, under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Binga District Development Co-ordinator (DDC), Mr Land Siansole Kabome said through the initiative, communities under Chief Saba have benefitted, with 10 schools and two clinics now having access to clean water and energy after solar power was installed, exemplifying the Second Republic’s commitment to leaving no one and no place behind in development as Zimbabwe aims for an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The district had suffered challenges of high teacher flight because of its remoteness and a low pass rate in practical and science subjects, but the current developments have instilled a renewed sense of hope within the communities it serves.
The public institutions that have had solar power and clean water installed are Zambezi Clinic, Zambezi Primary and Secondary School, Mankobole, Junamina, Saba and Siansundu Primary Schools, Saba and Siansundu Secondary schools as well as Siansundu Clinic.
Bunsiwa and Gaza Primary Schools have piped clean water, after Cawep under the Binga, Mlibizi project invested US$2.5 million in infrastructural development.
It has stretched into three wards (9, 10 and 13). The project has completed the rehabilitation of the Mlibizi piped water scheme, which has a 75-kilometre pipe network.
“The beneficiaries have been increased from 55 to 250 for domestic water use. The project has enhanced agricultural production through the establishment of gardens and irrigation scheme,” said Mr Kabome.
He said the Saba Green Valley Irrigation Scheme has 64 (26 males and 38 female) beneficiaries, managing the crops collectively as per Vision 2030 acceleration model for middle-income economy.
“The scheme has 15 hectares under pivot irrigation and five hectares under drip systems. As we speak, the 15ha pivot irrigation system is under maize targeted for green mealies. They have also completed fencing of four, one ha garden supplied with water for irrigation through a drip system,” said Mr Kabome.
He said the 12 institutions, inclusive of 10 schools and two clinics will result in improved service delivery, reduce staff turnover and study time for learners.
“There are also two installed Automated Weather Stations (AWSs) at Mupande Secondary and Siabuwa for the provision of improved access to accurate and reliable weather information while 211 youths were trained in various vocational skills, dressmaking, carpentry, hairdressing and building. Out of 211, about 107 beneficiaries were capacitated for business skill development,” said the DDC, a former school teacher himself.
Zambezi Secondary School headmistress Ms Thabitha Mzamba, said life has never been the same since the installation of solar and clean water in her school, which has 120 learners.
“Before all this was installed, we faced a lot of challenges such as printing critical documents including examination papers for our learners. We couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi and had no access to clean water, but now, all that is history. We are now able to effectively teach science subjects while our learners are studying in the evening. In our cottages, we are now able to connect gadgets such as television and refrigerators, all this, thanks to the Green Valley irrigation scheme,” said Ms Mzamba.
The Cawep Project is a three-year project, whose aim is to support the Government in attaining its climate change goals.
The project supports vulnerable communities and institutions’ adaptation and resilience capacity to climate shocks.
It seeks to support the development of climate resilient, multiple water use and renewable energy infrastructure in vulnerable communities of Zimbabwe. It also aims to improve access to clean and affordable energy that supports economic activities and brings about a more sustainable livelihood outcome to the communities.
It is being funded by the United Kingdom to the tune of 13.6 million pounds and is being implemented in four districts namely Binga, Insiza, Chipinge and Chivi.
Peter Tanyanyiwa