Semwa Dam to end Rushinga’s drought woes

Monalisa Chikwengo

CONSTRUCTION of Semwa Dam along Ruya River in Mashonaland Central is now 32 percent complete amid projections that it will hold enough water to irrigate 12 000 hectares of land, providing the much-needed boost to the agricultural production in the region.

The construction of the dam is seen as a significant step towards ending perennial drought challenges faced by farmers in the Rushinga district, who have long struggled with water shortages that have severely impacted their livelihoods.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the dam had a capacity of 260 million cubic metres of water and was being built at a cost of US$360 million.

“Semwa Dam is one of the 12 major dam projects that Government is implementing through ZINWA. It represents a major investment in the future of the region, with the potential to transform the local economy and improve the lives of many people in the surrounding communities,” she said.

The dam has the capacity to irrigate about 12 000 hectares of land in both Rushinga and Mt Darwin districts.

“Apart from providing water for irrigation, the dam is also strategically located to be a more reliable raw water source for Rushinga and Chimhanda growth points. This will go a very long way in addressing the water challenges the two growth points currently face, which will pave way for their growth and expansion,” she said.

Mrs Munyonga added that the dam will provide many benefits to the immediate community in terms of poverty alleviation and food security.

“In addition to its irrigation capabilities, the dam is anticipated to generate power to be fed into the national grid.  Furthermore, it is projected to open up prospects in various industries such as tourism, recreation, and fisheries. With the combination of these activities, the dam is set to play a crucial role in enhancing food security in Rushinga and Mt Darwin, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and job creation in the region,” she said.