Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube in Binga
THERE is a need for a ‘Whole of Government and Society Approach’ to ensure full operationalisation of the Bhulaayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga District, which is critical in ensuring national food security and unlocking wider economic opportunities for locals.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said this here yesterday after assessing the strategic farming project as part of his familiarisation tour of key economic developments in Matabeleland North province.
He said it was unacceptable that the project was still not operational given the scheme’s proximity to the abundant water supplies at the Zambezi River.
VP Chiwenga reiterated Government’s commitment to ensure that the irrigation scheme is fully operationalised to contribute to the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy.
“Today I came to assure you of Government’s commitment to see to it that this scheme is successful and that it operates perfectly,” he said.
“Bhulaayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme has a huge potential to assist families have adequate food through crop farming, fish farming and also opening opportunities for jobs.
“It will also avail the youth other avenues of income generations. This scheme also promotes the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, which is a way of fighting poverty,” said the Vice President.
He called upon all responsible authorities to pull up their socks and ensure that the scheme is operationalised within a short space of time.
VP Chiwenga said the scheme was everyone’s responsibility, hence all levels of society, from village level to the Government must come together to ensure its success.
“There has to be change here. We came here and agreed that where there is the pump, it won’t be able to pump water to the entire 15 000 hectares.
“Yes the 300 hectares us for the local community but we are talking of the greater Binga, there is 15 000 hectares to be developed,” he said.
“By now these 15 000 hectares should have been developed and nothing should have stopped this.
“We had also said let us create fishing dams, we were all agreed with the community here and even ARDA, we had agreed, why that has not be done, puzzles my mind,” said VP Chiwenga.
I promise you that all these issues will be addressed to the fullest using a ‘Whole of Government Approach’ being led by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“I encourage everyone here present that let us work together to see to it that this project helps us and our children.”
VP Chiwenga revealed that he had been fully briefed about the challenges faced by the project, ranging from challenges with the centre pivots, machinery, security fence, and money owed to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.
“We need to come together and make this scheme operational. It must be able to produce enough grain, we must be able to produce citrus just like what we have done in Beitbridge and the people to do it are right here, we do not need to import people to do this, we will do it ourselves,” he said.
“We cannot die of hunger while our feet are in water, it’s impossible. Whatever mistakes we might have done, we are human, we must now correct them and move forward, let us develop Bhulaayo Kraal, we want to see it a completely different picture, let us turn it into an industrial hub,” said the Vice President.
