By Perpetua Murungweni
In a bold move to enhance food security, Chivi North ward 3 villagers have pooled their land together for a revolutionary irrigation project to safeguard their livelihoods.
Speaking to farmers during a media tour organised by United Nations Communications Group, Bwanya Irrigation Scheme Chairperson Ekem Tinagwo said community members pledged their land for the irrigation project to fight against hunger.
“We gave our fields for the irrigation project because our livelihoods were being affected by poor rainfall. When the project came we embraced it with open hands since we were no longer tilling the land because of inadequate rains that could not sustain our crops. The few people that were still farming were practising stream bank cultivation,” said Tinagwo.
Chief Madamombe acknowledged the government and the implementing partners for the good work that they were doing for the community through the irrigation project.
“I would like to thank government and the implementing partners for this project. Bwanya irrigation project has come to the rescue of this community.
Madamombe urged all the playing partners in the project to intervene and assist with what is left for farmers to start farming this year.
“There are a few things that need to be put in place so i want to implore all the partners to intervene and assist,” said Madamombe.
Headman Bwanya born Elliot Ginasiyo said water from Muzhwi dam has been lying idle and the community had no capacity to draw the water but the project had given them a chance.
“Our land was lying idle because of low rainfall we could not practice agriculture anymore, so we decided to give our lands to the irrigation project so that we take advantage of the water from Muzhwi dam that was lying idle for a very long time and with the amount of water that is in the dam we are hoping to have a better harvest,” said Ginasiyo.
Local village head Elliam Charadza said by giving their lands to the scheme, the community was hoping for better yields that will change their lives.
“By giving our farms to be used in this project we are hoping for better yields that will change our lives, this area receives low rainfall each year. At times we only receive rainfall in January and it goes forever,” said Charadza.
A young woman from the community Letwin Mushava who is a beneficiary of the scheme said she was hoping that the project was going to empower young people so that they will not rush into marriages or end up doing drugs.
“I hope this project will help young women to start their own businesses and empower them so that they don’t rush into marriages,” said Mushava.
Antony Ndambakuwa, a youth from the area said he believed the project will reduce illegal mining activities in the community and drug and substance abuse in the community.
“The project has brought change to our community because most of the young people are now occupied and it’s keeping them away from drugs. We used to work in illegal mines to make ends meet and many died there but this project has given us new hope,” said Ndambakuwa.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira applauded the work being done by the UN towards areas such as food and nutrition security in quest for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which speaks to zero hunger.
“The UN works to support the Zimbabwean government in strengthening national capacity and resilience to achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. I applaud the splendid work that the UN has achieved in Zimbabwe we have managed to sustain food and nutrition security through the UN agencies support.
“The UN is working with the government to achieve SDG2 which is to achieve zero hunger through supporting targeted vulnerable households in rural and urban areas to have improved food and nutrition security as well as supporting communities to cope with climate change and build resilience,” said Chadzamira.
The Irrigation scheme is located in Chivi District, with a total of 300 households set to directly benefit from the 156ha irrigation scheme. This scheme will use a combination of centre pivot and semi-permanent sprinkler system.
72ha will be under centre pivots and 84ha is under semi-permanent sprinkler system. The scheme will get water from an existing Shashe weir on Shashe River, downstream of Muzhwi dam.
