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In an interview on Thursday, Sen Mohadi expressed concern over the state of irrigation schemes most of which have been lying idle for several years following the breakdown of engine pumps.
“We are really concerned about the poor state of our irrigation schemes and therefore I urge the relevant department to attend to the problem as a matter of urgency,” she said.
“It should be noted that Beitbridge District falls under region five, which is characterised by a low rainfall pattern hence there is a need to encourage and develop irrigation farming as rain dependent crop tillage has proved to be a failure in this part of the country.”
Most irrigation schemes such as Tshikwalakwala, Shashe, River Ranch, Jalukange and Bili are not working to full capacity largely because of constant breakdown of engine pumps resulting in water shortage.
At Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme, the fence and the canals have been destroyed by stray elephants from Kruger National Park in South Africa.
The irrigation scheme, measuring 65 hectares, has been hard hit by a serious water shortage due to lack of funds to purchase diesel used in powering the engine pumps.
The scheme has three engines, two of which are not working.
Established in 1963, Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme is the second largest scheme in the district after Shashe and it has 208 plotholders with each cultivating 0,2ha.
Shashe Irrigation Scheme is situated about 120km west of Beitbridge town.
The scheme, measuring 120 hectares, has 184 plot-holders and it has only two functioning engine pumps out of four pumps.
Peace Parks Foundation of South Africa pledged to purchase four engine pumps for Shashe Irrigation Scheme.
The organisation recently erected an electric fence worth R250 000 at the scheme to deter stray elephants from destroying crops in the fields.
The donation followed an outcry from local villagers who continued to lose crops to the elephants from neighbouring Botswana and Mapungubwe National Park in South Africa.
Beitbridge has 17 communal irrigation schemes with a total of 521 hectares of irrigable land. However, due to constant break down of pumps resulting in water shortages, only 169 hectares of land is being utilised.
Sen Mohadi said crops in several parts of the district were a write-off following erratic rains.
According to reports, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces have been affected.
Matabeleland South is said to be the worst affected province in the country.
Over the years, Matabeleland South has been affected by droughts and communities have called for a lasting solution to produce and provide enough food reserves for the province.
Online Reporter