MARTIN MAWAYA
SILOBELA-The government has commissioned one of the largest irrigation schemes in the Midlands Province which is expected to benefit more than 982 farmers in Silobela.
The Exchange Irrigation scheme which was established in 1972 and started operating in 1973, was developed to compensate relocated farmers from Central Estates (Hunyani settlement) in Chirumhanzu District.
The irrigation scheme covers a total of 169 hectares and had broken down in 2017 due to siltation.
The scheme is being rehabilitated under the government Irrigation Revitalization Programme (SIRP) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and farmers.
The commissioning is part of the government’s accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Program to resuscitate communal irrigation schemes nationwide as a key enabler for improved yields and production for smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the commissioning of Exchange Irrigation Scheme on Tuesday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said it will benefit 498 women as well as improving community’s livelihoods.
“As government we hope that the rehabilitation of this scheme transforms the livelihoods of the 982 farmers that are in this irrigation scheme. I am pleased to note that here at Exchange Irrigation Scheme, 498 of the 982 farmers are women while 11 are youths. I have noted that SIRP promotes bio-fortified grains.
“The scheme will enhance incomes, increase opportunities for value addition and the development of agribusiness value chain,” he said.
The Minister added that 304 irrigation schemes have now been transferred to new innovative business model and are managed by Agricultural Rural Development Authority in order to address scheme governance, viability, business and its sustainability.
Dr Masuka added that the seven year program will revitalize 5 200 hectares of 66 irrigation schemes in Masvingo, Manicaland, Matebeleland South and Midlands.
“Realizing that farmers in adjacent rain fed areas have also not been spared from the effects of climate change, the SIRP project is also catering for 15 000 farmers across the four provinces through the provision of sorghum seed and indigenous chickens to promote resilience.
“The project also places great value on the environment and in this regard, it is working closely with farmers to protect and enhance the natural resource base as well as rehabilitating the greater scheme area around irrigation schemes.
“I am reliably informed that a total of 2 000 youths will benefit from the programme, while women are expected to constitute 50% of the beneficiaries,” said Minister Masuka.
He said in Midlands Province, SIRP is rehabilitating schemes in Kwekwe, Gweru, Zvishavane and Chirumhanzu districts.
Masuka urged farmers at the Exchange Irrigation to take ownership of the irrigation scheme and run it as a business.
The government intend to rehabilitate 450 irrigation schemes covering 26 000 hectares by 2025, with 350 000 ha irrigable from the current 193 000ha.
