Chronicle EditorSukulwenkosi Dube-MatutuChronicle Reporter
THE Department of Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation and Soil Conservation is targeting constructing contours on more than 600 hectares of land in Matabeleland South Province following the launch of the national soil and conservation programme recently.The province received four tractors at the launch.
The programme was launched in Mashonaland West Province in June. In Matabeleland South Province, the blitz was launched in the same month at Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme.The province received four tractors each equipped with a disc plough. This year the soil and water conservation blitz is targeting the pegging and construction of mechanical contours on 1 500 hectares of both arable and non- arable land in the province.This will help reduce river and dam siltation and soil erosion, boosting food productivity in the long run.
Provincial mechanisation engineer, Mr Dalisto Varegeyi said conservation works have been conducted in Gwanda and Beitbridge.
“In the province we are targeting to peg and construct 1 500 hectares under the soil and water conservation programme. The programme was launched in June and we are now in the process of implementing it across districts. So far, we have pegged and constructed conservation structures on about 600 hectares out of the target.
“We have pegged in Gwanda and Beitbridge and we will be moving to other districts. We plan to even surpass out target of 1 500 hectares for the year given the four tractors that we have,” he said.
Mr Varegeyi said the programme has brought huge relief to the department as in the past they could just peg and not construct conservation structures due to absence of relevant machinery.
He said the process is labour intensive, which makes it difficult for farmers to carry out their own conservation works.
Mr Varegeyi said the programme will help reduce massive soil erosion and siltation thereby increasing production throughout the province. He said it will also help also reduce siltation and segmentation of water bodies thereby improving water supply.
“Soil is an important natural resource as it determines the successful growth of crops and also store nutrients for crops to grow well. Conservation works play crucial roles as they increase the hydraulic conductivity of the soil, promote construction of dead level contours and help to harvest water. Farming is one activity that causes soil erosion therefore we want to conserve the soil to ensure minimum damage to the soil,” he said.
Mr Varegeyi said the conservation works will promote vegetative growth and raise the water table of the area.
He said most farmers were realising the importance of conservation and were embracing the soil and water conservation programme. Mr Varegeyi said the strategy was to have all farmers adopt conservation mechanisms. – @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu