Chronicle EditorLeonard Ncube , Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has started drilling solar powered boreholes at irrigation schemes in the dry Matabeleland North province to mitigate water challenges that have seen some farming projects lying idle.
Three irrigation schemes in Hwange district have since been received solar systems to power boreholes while two are being worked on in Lupane.
In an interview, Matabeleland North irrigation officer Mr Charles Makhula said work is underway at Tshongogwe and Zinaphe irrigation schemes both in Jotsholo, Lupane where boreholes have since been drilled.
The projects are being funded by the Government and its partners and will see the irrigation schemes being fitted with solar panels, water engines, pipes and big water tanks.
Pro Africa is the development partner at Tshongogwe and Zinaphe irrigation schemes.
“We are working with partners to try and augment water in the irrigation schemes. At Zinaphe the contractor was there on site to install pumps while at Tshongogwe two boreholes have been drilled and we are now doing designs on how water will be channelled,” said Mr Makhula.
Tshongogwe irrigation gets its water from Tshongogwe Dam which dried up in October last year because it is silted.
Mr Makhula said solar is meant to avoid burdening communities with electricity bills.
“We are yet to see how much water will come out but that little will go a long way.
“We are engaging with solar companies as we hope to spread to other irrigation schemes in the province.
“Three have been done in Hwange and now we are doing two in Matabeleland North hoping to spread to others,” said Mr Makhula.
He said the major challenge is maintenance of equipment and called for skills transfer where development partners train locals to be able to fix the equipment in the event of breakdowns.
Chairperson of Tshongogwe Irrigation scheme Mrs Samukeliso Sibanda-Khumalo said the water situation at the project is critical as the dam has since dried.
She said the scheme planted only 18.3ha of maize due to lack of water.
There are more than 40 irrigation schemes in the province and some of them now rely on rain.
Government has a programme of rehabilitating irrigation projects and targets to develop at least 200 hectares per district per year over a period of 10 years under the $98 million facility for irrigation equipment and machinery availed last year.
— @ncubeleon
Online Reporter