adminEltina Chagonda
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) intends to drill and equip a total of 35 000 solar-powered boreholes by 2025.
This was revealed by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka.
“This means a borehole in each of the 35 000 villages across Zimbabwe.
“These solar-powered boreholes will then open the way for the local communities to establish horticulture gardens, drip irrigation, growing high value crops, fisheries, piped water scheme together with washing slabs and cattle troughs.
“This year alone, 5 000 boreholes will be drilled nationally, two per ward, and more than half of which shall have the garden constructed this year,” he said.
Minister Makusa said the Government was committed towards ensuring infrastructure development.
“A whole of Government approach will see Zinwa providing water infrastructure, the irrigation department will provide drip irrigation infrastructure and security fence, supported by Agritex, will provide agronomy support.
“AFC will provide seed financing for cash crops growing, while ZIMTRADE will provide marketing support.
“The Tobacco Research Board and Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR & SS) will provide sweet potato vines to households, Forestry Commission will provide fruit tree seedlings,” he said.
Added the Minister: “The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department will provide support in fish farming.
“DDF will drill boreholes at all 9600 schools in the country. Additionally, ZINWA will drill a borehole, one in each ward, for youth development.
“Government has, through the ZINWA, procured 40 borehole drilling rigs to be equally distributed among the eight rural provinces of Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Manicaland, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter