VUNGU communal area has embarked on an intensive irrigation rehabilitation project meant to ensure food self-sufficiency at household level as well as getting it back on its feet as the horticultural hub of the Midlands Province.
The revival of dysfunctional irrigation schemes is being done to mitigate the effects of climate change which have seen communities failing to provide enough for themselves and a surplus for sale as was the norm in the past.
Their situation is further exacerbated by illegal gold panning activities that have silted dams turning the once blossoming farming communities into a basket case. In an interview, Vungu constituency Member of Parliament Cde Omega Sibanda said projects of irrigation scheme rehabilitation were underway to reclaim the lost status.
“The rehabilitation process is at different levels of progression. Vungu used to be known for its capacity to produce horticulture crops such as vegetables, tomatoes, fruits and many other crops but there is nothing now.
“There were wetlands where people used to do a lot of farming but due to climate change the biggest challenge right now is unavailability of water as dams have silted,” he said. Cde Sibanda said only one irrigation scheme was fully functional and some were under robust rehabilitation.
“We had our irrigation schemes such as Mkoba, Mambanjeni, Shagari, Insukamini that used to be the life-giving artery of the Vungu communities in terms of agricultural produce but now only Insukamini is functional. Mambanjeni is undergoing reconstruction through government support and they have already changed the piping system which has been down for about 26 years. We have changed the irrigation system from what it used to be and we are going to do irrigation through centre pivots. Shagari needs dam wall construction after it collapsed and is also being worked on and there are positive changes in terms of progress,” said Cde Sibanda.
The legislator also highlighted the need to conserve wetlands and protect all water bodies against siltation as well as the need for communities to embark on water harvesting techniques to promote sustainable agriculture.
“Mkoba irrigation scheme needs to be desilted so that it operates all year round. We need to come back to the basics and ensure that our water yield is as high as possible so that we have a constant supply of water throughout the year. Even in the wetlands, I am happy the Environmental Management Agency is assisting. We are trying to resuscitate one of the biggest wetlands, Sikombingo,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cde Sibanda castigated cattle rustlers in the country and Vungu constituency in particular as it was one of the most affected areas.
“We have serious challenges with cattle rustlers in the country. I have spoken to the ZRP Officer Commanding Police in the Midlands Province who has pledged to assist in curbing the vice with the help of villagers and their respective traditional leaders. We have people who are stealing cattle, that they slaughter and supply the meat to the butcheries in and around the district and the province.
“The police have pledged to work on apprehending the culprits and we are sure they are going to make a lot of arrests. We, as the affected communities should play ball and help them with leads because the criminals are coming from within our communities,” he said. – Sunday News
