Chronicle EditorLuthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
Siltation of Save River is threatening to derail progress made so far by hundreds of small-holder farmers at Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme, one of the biggest schemes in Zimbabwe. The water level has dropped in the river due to massive siltation. Interviewed farmers said rampant illegal farming activities along Save River banks were the major causes of siltation, which was now affecting water supply.
Farmers also complained of receiving a raw deal from Zimbabwe National Water Authority, which is not supplying them with water despite paying their dues.
“Every year during this period we experience acute water shortages at our irrigation scheme as a result of illegal farming activities being practiced along the river,” said Mr Dumisani Maphosa.
“We are now using our own means to desilt and divert water to our irrigation scheme, but this is not enough as the work is very difficult. Look, we need a week-long period to divert the water to our pumps, but it can only last for almost three days as the water usually destroys the temporary walls we would have created.”
Another farmer, Mr Andrew Muchayana, said siltation was having a telling effect on their crops, as some of them were now suffering from moisture stress.
“Our crops are now water stressed because our source — Save River is no longer supplying enough water for irrigation,” he said. “We are now counting loses and we are calling law enforcement agents to crack their whip and drive away villagers who are practicing stream bank cultivation.”
In July this year, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality visited Chipinge and called on Government to come up with stiffer penalties for people engaging in bad farming practices that caused siltation on rivers.
The committee raised the red flag when touring Middle Sabi Water Station and ZINWA Checheche where illegal farming activities are rampant.
However, according to farmers no promises were implemented.
Ward 20 councillor, Cllr Charles Mugidho, decried siltation of Save River and warned that if the situation was not addressed farmers at Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme would suffer huge losses.
“Siltation is the major threat to farming activities here,” he said. “There should be stiffer penalties imposed on those who cause it. If this continues, farmers will incur huge losses.
“Again we have a problem of desilting the river as farmers are using their own equipment to do so. ZINWA is not playing the ball despite us paying rates to them.”
Online Reporter