By Bright Zhou
Banga Irrigation Scheme in Chivi District of Masvingo Province was on Saturday (March 16) crowned the best irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe, receiving a US$ 10,000 cash prize and an award.
The irrigation scheme was handed over the US$10,000 cash prize by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka at a function held at the irrigation site near Ngundu Business Centre.
Speaking at the event, Masuka said he was impressed by Banga’s performance, saying it continuously plays a vital role in its contribution to the country’s food security.
He went on to encourage Banga farmers to keep the standards high and continue working hard to win the competition again next time while promising that the government is committed to providing the scheme with fertilizer and seeds.
“Banga plays a major role by leading the country to become food secure with major staples like maize and wheat. Farmers here should increase their pace, they should work hard to win again next time. The government is going to give Banga Irrigation Scheme fertilizer and seeds so that they continue the good work,” said Masuka.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said Banga farmers had put their effort into the development of the country and should now focus on small grain crops that are tolerant to drought as the country received low rainfall this season.
“It is important to note that Banga farmers put their effort to raise the development of the country; however, when there is little rainfall the government is not going to give irrigation schemes maize seed but to offer them drought-tolerant crops like wheat, millet or rapoko.
“This year there is drought in Masvingo province because of climate change but people should not worry much as the government is going to make sure that no one dies of hunger,” said Chadzamira.
Banga Irrigation Scheme representative Engineer Justice Musadaidzwa said their primary source of water, Banga Dam did not have enough water, which forced them to reduce the size of land under production, but regardless, they managed to beat other schemes to scoop the first prize.
He went on to say there were plans to siphon water from Tugwi Mukosi dam that was upstream to supplement water for the scheme
Lukosi irrigation scheme from Matabeleland North came second and walked away with US$7.500 followed by Maunganidze from Manicaland which walked away with US$5000.
