Tinaani Nyabereka
Silobela-With more than 982 households expected to benefit, the newly commissioned Exchange Silobela irrigation scheme has been described as an agricultural hub that will enhance food security in the community.
The 169-hectare irrigation scheme was commissioned by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka last week.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the scheme, Dr Masuka said sustainable agriculture is crucial towards rural industrialisation and development.
He added that, going forward the community was supposed to take farming as a business.
“Agricultural production must facilitate rural industrialisation and development and catalyse the attainment of Vision 2030 which is possible through innovation and a revolutionised agriculture system. This must be replicated across irrigation schemes in the country.
“I therefore urge beneficiaries to take farming as a business focused on attaining profits. We as government hope that the rehabilitation of this scheme will go a long way to transform the livelihoods of the 982 farmers that are in this scheme.
“However, this can only be achieved if farmers focus their energies on improved production and profitability. I therefore urge you to exercise an extreme sense of ownership of the irrigation scheme which should be run as a business,” Dr Masuka said.
A beneficiary in the scheme, Shepherd Dzinoreva said as a cooperative they were now able to do an all year round cropping season.
“I am happy that we no longer wait for the rainy season. Now we can grow crops all year round and that way we are able to cater for our clients and feed our families all year round,” said Dzinorwa.
The Irrigation Scheme Chairperson Elizabeth Mushonga applauded government for revitalising the scheme which had become unproductive for years.
“The water canals, fence and pipes were broken but thanks to government it’s now a different case altogether. We say going forward, we are going to use it effectively and efficiently for the development of our community and the country at large,” she said.
The Exchange Irrigation Scheme was established in 1972 as part of compensation for relocated farmers from Hunyani settlement in Chirumhanzu district during the colonial era.
It was declared dysfunctional in 2017, after pumping units broke down coupled with the drying up of Exchange Dam due to siltation.
The scheme became one of the beneficiaries of the International Fund for Agriculture development (IFAD) through the Smallholder Revitalisation Programme (SIRP), something that brought hope to the Silobela community.
Government has embarked on an irrigation rehabilitation scheme, a seven-year programme which started in 2016.
The programme is expected to resuscitate many irrigation schemes in Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces.
