…as drought looms
By Decide Nhendo
The Community Based Aid Programme (CBAP) has established a solar powered irrigation scheme in Masvingo North’s ward 1 as the organisation thrives to mitigate climate change effects which saw a larger part of the country receiving below normal rainfall threatening food security.
The scheme, which was set up in Chinyan’anya village, headman Gurajena under Chief Zimuto, is aimed at sustainable provision of water for perennial farming to the benefit of 50 families who came together to show the community that cooperation can conquer challenges.
Speaking to TellZim News, CBAP director Samuel Mhungu said establishing Chinyan’anya Irrigation Scheme was meant to assist families from five wards in Masvingo North to cope with the El Nino drought imposed by climate change which has resulted in undependable rainfall for farmers as the nation’s large population depends mainly on farming from the rains.
“Chinyan’anya irrigation scheme was established to mitigate food shortages as it will allow farmers to grow crops all year round. This irrigation scheme is going to economically and socially help communities as it is targeting around 50 families of different backgrounds from five different wards in Masvingo North,” said Mhungu.
He said people who are going to work in the irrigation scheme were going to have farming advice from government departments like Agritex who will assist with best farming methods and crops to maximize yields.
“From the onset, we have been working with relevant government officials like Rangarirai Mutusva from the irrigation department who advises us on user-friendly methods for the environment at the same time producing good yields.
“When the scheme is fully established we as an organisation will hand it over to the community and the relevant government departments to run the scheme. We aim to see it progressing and see farmers reaping from growing cash crops and do away with relying on selling seasonal yield,” said Mhungu.
He said they hope to see a community socially and economically independent as youth, women, as well as people with disabilities are included in the project to improve their livelihoods by fighting societal ills like gender-based violence, together with other problems driven by poverty and vulnerability.
He added that as an organization they were planning to help communities venture into citrus fruit plantations on wetlands they had already identified areas like Chikato near Mazambara High School, Mapanzure, and other wetlands aimed at the preservation of the environment, to give value to the wetlands.
Masvingo North Ward 1 councilor Kudakwashe Richard Murambiwa said the irrigation scheme which was started last year in August was the first in the area and came at the right time when the area was faced with drought.
“This irrigation scheme is the first in the area and has come at the right time as the area and the whole country is faced with food shortages caused by drought,” said Murambiwa.
The irrigation scheme chairperson Job Mutava said it was a difficult and long relentless journey but determination and unity among the beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme resulted in the establishment of the much-needed irrigation scheme.
One farmer, Shyleen Dzimire from Tunhira village said she was happy to be part of the project as she was envying other people in neighboring irrigation schemes whom she said were doing great from the money they got from selling their crops.
She thanked CBAP for establishing the irrigation scheme saying it was going to alleviate poverty in the area.
“I thank Mr Mhungu and CBAP for bringing this irrigation scheme to life. At the same time, I am happy to be part of it. I have been seeing others in other schemes affording tuition fees for their children up to universities and I am happy it’s our turn.
“We are going to work hard as we have been granted a golden opportunity to fight hunger and poverty,” said Dzimire.
A youth only identified as Charlie said the programme was important to the community as all ages including youths and elderly were involved saying it was going to help in employment creation as well given the harsh economy.
“This program is good to the community given the current stand of our economy and it is also good for all age groups from us the youth and elderly people.
“It is going to help on employment creation as I am going to be self-employed and I can also look for one or two other people to assist me in working in the scheme,” said Charlie.
CBAP started as a faith-based organization at Morgenster Mission Hospital and ventured into health interventions, especially during the peak of HIV and AIDs.
It did several HIV and AIDs interventions offering ARVs to local people and also paying school fees, buying groceries, and seeds for HIV/AIDs orphans.
The organization also does a doctor’s outreach programme where they bring doctors to rural clinics where people have a chance to consult the doctors for free.
