By Bright Zhou
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has called upon Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to not disconnect water for irrigation schemes over debts saying that would affect food security.
Speaking at a provincial wheat seminar where farmers and Ministry of Agriculture officials exchanged knowledge and skills on wheat production hosted at Mushandike Agritex Office on May 16, 2024, Chadzamira said ZINWA must work hand in hand with farmers to ensure food security towards achieving Vision 2030.
Chadzamira was responding to an issue raised by Nyahombe Irrigation Scheme of Ward 27, Chivi District Chairperson Simbarashe Mugabe who said the scheme had 80 hectares and were using water from Tugwi Mukosi dam for irrigation but were however facing challenges with ZINWA disconnecting water for farmers with debts.
“We have 80 hectares placed under wheat production but the crops are wilting because ZINWA has disconnected water because we owe the authority. This is problematic for us because the scheme does not have enough money to pay water bills to irrigate our wheat yet the crops are wilting,” said Mugabe.
In his response Chadzamira said farmers should have access to water despite other challenges as the country was targeting high yields from the winter crop.
“Wheat production is being done to ensure food security in the country towards the attainment of vision 2030. It is a bad thing for the authorities to disconnect water from irrigation schemes while crops are wilting.
“ZINWA should not deny farmers access to water for use at the irrigation schemes as this can disturb wheat production. We urge ZINWA to work together with schemes towards this goal,” said Chadzamira.
Chadzamira said government on the other hand was constructing roads as part of its efforts to assist farmers in transporting grains after harvesting.
“The government is constructing roads and this is benefitting farmers in transporting their grains to Grain Marketing Board and other markets,” said Chadzamira.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Peter Haritatos said they were expecting a high yield in Masvingo province with 5 000 hectares placed under wheat production.
“We have 5000 hectares placed under wheat production in Masvingo and we expect farmers to cultivate wheat on a high scale. We need to be the best in wheat production as a country,” said Haritatos.
Haritatos urged farmers in regions 4 and 5 to cultivate small grains and to use block system to prevent spreading of crop diseases which reduce yield.
“We urge farmers to grow wheat crop using a block system that is growing of one type crop on a piece of land and avoid mixed farming which can cause spreading of diseases and competition for sunlight and nutrients on crops. Farmers in region 4 and 5 should cultivate small grains.
“We want farmers to take farming as a business and we want irrigation schemes to create sustainable hubs for rural communities. The government has promised to continue strengthening rural communities resilience and adaptation in the face of climate change through the establishment of irrigation schemes,” said Haritatos.
Agritex Acting Chief Director Leonard Munamati said farmers should take small grains farming seriously as these can be used for various purposes.
“Small grains can be used for different purposes for instance the main purpose is for sadza, beer brewing and bread, farmers can sell their grains to GMB or exchange with other grains like maize
“We urge farmers to take wheat production seriously as it can be a major source of starch and energy, it provides substantial amounts of a number of components essential for health notably in protein and vitamins,” said Munamati.
