MAKWE Irrigation Scheme farmers in Gwanda are set to maximise production as land rehabilitation has reached the final stage and planting is expected to start before the month end.
Land preparation is underway at the largest communal irrigation scheme in the district, which has been lying idle for the past five years.
The Government, working with various partners, is rehabilitating irrigation schemes that have been lying idle in Matabeleland South Province to improve food and nutrition security and ensure the attainment of Vision 2030.
The schemes are being rehabilitated under the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP).
SIRP was launched in November 2017 to assist in the revitalisation of irrigation schemes across the nation through the rehabilitation of infrastructure. It is a Government-led programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Under the Second Republic, Government is prioritising the revival of the agricultural sector through the development of irrigation schemes to alleviate food insecurity and poverty, particularly in rural communities.
Several irrigation projects that had been lying idle in the province have been revived while some that were being underutilised have been capacitated and expanded. Investors through a partnership with local farmers have also assisted with resources and equipment to enhance underutilised irrigation schemes.
Bulawayo-based Forster Irrigation Company got the US$1 million tender to restore the 200-hectare Makwe Irrigation Scheme and works are now above 80 percent complete.
The main job involves upgrading water systems.
Villagers have mobilised resources to erect a fence around the agricultural land.
Meaningful production last took place in 2017 after the power supply was disrupted because of theft of copper cables.
Established in the 1960s, Makwe Irrigation Scheme was once the breadbasket and a major source of income for villagers in the area. With its restoration, it is set to contribute significantly towards food and nutrition in the province.
A total of 190 farmers are registered against a targeted membership of 400.
In an interview, Makwe Irrigation Scheme chairperson Mr Louise Ncube said members were eager to resume production.
“We are glad that there is some progress at the irrigation site. Land preparation is underway and come the end of December we would have planted our maize crop.
“This irrigation scheme seeks to mainly benefit our community and we are committed to ensuring its success. This time around we want to produce better than we did before our irrigation scheme stopped working. We want to contribute to the nation’s granary. This irrigation scheme was once a major food source for the district and we want to revive that,” he said.
“In the past, we were using a surface water system, but now we will be using centre pivots which will help us to irrigate more land. With assistance from Government through inputs we hope to irrigate the entire land. We understand the role that we have to play in ensuring food and nutrition security.”
Ms Nothando Nyathi, one of the farmers, said they have received training which will help to turn the project into a viable economic enterprise. She said lead farmers, who were responsible for disseminating information to other farmers, were identified.
“We underwent training as farmers to prepare us for the time when we will start producing. I’m one of the lead farmers and our duty is to share knowledge with the rest of the farmers. We have been taught about the importance of conducting our operations as a business enterprise. Once we start producing, we will focus on growing cash crops,” she said.
Ms Nyathi said the training will be a continuous process which will help to guide operations.
Mr Nicholas Msebele (77) said the irrigation scheme was once the community’s main source of livelihood and he was glad to witness its revival. He said the money he earned through the irrigation scheme helped him to send his children to school. Mr Msebele said the irrigation scheme had played a significant role in fighting poverty in the community and its revival will improve lives.
Ward 8 Councillor, Rachel Ncube said the community has assumed ownership of the programme and everyone was eager to record good yields. She said that was the reason why farmers had decided to mobilise funds for a perimeter fence.
Matabeleland South Province falls under regions 4 and 5 where dry land cropping is a major challenge because of poor rains.
This has made it difficult for farmers to engage in successful crop production. The province is however, endowed with abundant underutilised water resources and good soils with vast potential for cropping under irrigation. – The Chronicle
