Fredrick Moyo
Rupike Irrigation scheme situated along Masvingo-Renco Mine road ward 23 of Masvingo South constituency under Chief Nyajena celebrated the provincial and national awards it scooped in the 2021 national irrigation scheme competitions at a colorful event held at Rupike business Centre.
It was all smiles for farmers as the scheme won a cash price of US$10 000, ZW$ 150 000, food hampers and agricultural inputs.
The event was graced by the Minister of Honor Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Masuka who applauded the work being done by the scheme.
Masuka said the competitions were meant to encourage farmers to do more in improving food production.
“I am pleased to join you on this joyous occasion, for the celebrations of 2021 national irrigation competition prize giving ceremony and I appreciate the work that people are doing at Rupike Irrigation Scheme.
“The irrigation schemes competitions were introduced to motivate farmers and capacitate them towards improved production, productivity, and profitability,” said Masuka.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said he is happy with what Rupike Irrigation Scheme is doing in the province and for winning both provincial and national competitions.
“I am happy that as a province we are winners of this prestigious competition, with Stanmore winning this position in 2018 and in 2021 we had Rupike Irrigation scheme.
“With this kind of team work we wish to continuously host you as the national winners and allow me to thank and appreciate government, Non-Governmental Organizations, stakeholders and farmers in improving and increasing irrigable area to help adapt to climate variability and climate change,” said Chadzamira.
Recently at provincial level Rupike irrigation scheme came first with 85 points and also scooped the best women-owned scheme in the province while it also came first in the national awards where it also scooped the best women-managed irrigation scheme for 2021.
