By Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo District’s Chiponda Community Garden has been plunged into a crisis after losing a water pump used for irrigating crops at the garden project to thieves on September 13, 2024.
As climate change effects continue to hit hard with countries in Southern Africa slowly moving away from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation, Chiponda Community Garden is one of the most thriving irrigation garden projects in Masvingo district.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the theft and said the stolen equipment, a water pump, controller and connection cable had a total value of US$500.
“I confirm the theft of irrigation equipment at Chiponda Community Garden in Muchibwa to the tune of US$500. Investigations are ongoing and members of the public with information on the suspects are encouraged to report to the nearest police station,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on September 13 at around 1800 hours, Coaster Mamvura (66) from Mukazi Village and Cephas Nyeketa (74) from Chiponda Village Chief Nyajena who are both security guards at the garden started work for the night shift.
At around 0400 hours the following morning while scouting the place, the duo discovered that the garden fence had been cut and the pump, controller and connection cable were missing.
The matter was reported to Renco Mine Police station and the matter is under investigations.
Chiponda Garden Chairperson, Raina Majapi said they were saddened by the situation but they had gotten assistance from Headman Muchibwa who has since given them a new pump but they were yet to raise funds for the installation.
“We have been assisted by Headman Muchibwa to replace the pump. We have since borrowed US$155 to replace the water connection cable and joining kit and we are trying to raise funds for installation and that needs to be done urgently,” said Majapi.
Chiponda Garden Agritex Officer, Fungai Museva said the water shortage was detrimental to crop yield with the crops already wilting.
“Crop yield will decrease in quality and quantity due to water shortage. Some of the crops are in temporary wilting so I pray the garden gets assistance urgently to save the situation,” said Museva.
Another committee member, Janet Mutubuki said the theft of the pump was retrogressive as plants in the garden were already being affected.
“Our plants are already being affected as the water from one of the tanks we have in the borehole is not enough for irrigating all our crops. At the moment we have come up with duties for irrigation to avoid people clashing on the few resources available but this is not enough to sustain the need.
“We are appealing to well-wishers who can assist us financially so that we can have the pump replaced to save our crops from wilting,” said Mutubuki.
The Chiponda Community Garden project started in 2020 with 52 beneficiaries but has now transformed into a community garden with 80 beneficiaries; 73 women and 7 men.
Community gardens have been a source of livelihood for many communities in rural areas, enhancing food security as well as being a source of income for the beneficiaries whilst complementing harvests from rain-fed agriculture.
