By Decide Nhendo
Smallholder farmers at Longdale Irrigation Scheme in the Bhani area of Masvingo are concerned with intermittent power cuts which are likely to affect winter wheat production.
The situation is further worsened by high electricity bills they are paying to Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
Speaking during the belated World Press Freedom Day commemorations organized by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Longdale Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme chairperson Davison Makangavaya said intermittent power cuts were a nightmare for production. He explained that sometimes there is no electricity at critical times when plants require water, resulting in yield losses.
“Irrigation farming requires electricity to pump water from the ground, but sometimes we can spend the whole day without electricity and this affect plants which will be in need of water. We have embarked on winter wheat farming and we are afraid that the crop might face water shortages like what we have been experiencing lately,” said Makangavaya.
Makangavaya said inflated power bills were another challenge for them saying at times they do not afford since they rely on selling produce which would have been affected by the power cuts.
“Every farmer is supposed to pay around US$20 per month and that is affecting us as our crops sometimes are affected due to lack of water linked to power outages,” said Makangavaya.
Makangavaya said draught power was another challenge the scheme was facing as farmers lost cattle to January Disease and appealed for authorities to help them acquire a tractor.
He said they were prepared to get a tractor on loan so that they utilize it to maximize yields and be able to pay back.
“We lost several cattle due to January Disease so we are experiencing a draught power shortage for ploughing land. We appeal to those who can assist us with getting a tractor on loan and we will pay back in installments,” said Makangavaya.
Longdale Irrigation Scheme has 16 hectares with 32 farmers each having 0.5 hectares and they plant their crops according to a group’s plan.
They grow pepper, cabbage, maize, and wheat among other plants. After harvesting they sell their produce to locals and at marketplaces like Chitima Market in Masvingo Urban.
The government of Zimbabwe is encouraging the use of irrigation schemes as climate change continues to hit hard with shifts in rainfall patterns. Zimbabwe has since declared a national state of emergency due to El Nino-induced drought.
