Melinda Kusemachibi
Rupike Irrigation scheme in Renco Mine is probably one of the few farmlands that have remained productive as most farmers in this drought-stricken part of the province rue the losses of the El Nino-induced drought that wiped out most crops and some livestock.
Situated in Ward 23, under Chief Nyajena area Rupike Irrigation Scheme that the community relies on is now under threat of siltation as Tugwane dam, the sole water supplier is in dire situation thereby disturbing the production of crops in the community.
Rupike Irrigation Scheme Agriculture, Research and Extension(Agritex) supervisor, Tinashe Chirambadare told TellZim News that due to siltation the water holding capacity of the dam had dropped very much and called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
“Tugwane dam had a carrying capacity of 330000m/liters but now with siltation, the capacity has dropped possibly by 35 to 40 percent.
Rupike community is therefore appealing for immediate action from responsible authorities that is Environmental Management Agency, Rural District Council (RDC), District Development Coordinator (DDC)’s Office to visit the area before onset of rain season,” said Chirambadare.
Tugwane dam capacity is reduced every rain season due to massive erosion on the upper stream and catchment area.
The dam may be history soon because a stretch of about two kilometers of the dam has been filled with sand.
Mushrooming Mukosi settlers are accused of carrying out farming activities like stream bank cultivation all over the catchment area.
Recently Masvingo Provincial Mechanization Engineer Andrew Muparirwa said several irrigation schemes are heavily affected by siltation in Masvingo province a development likely to lead to reduced agricultural production in the province.
He also pointed out that the nationa’s biggest inland dams Tugwi-Mukosi and Mutirikwi are the only ones that have not been affected though he said they are under threat.
Rupike Irrigation Scheme sustains 100 families on 200 hectares of irrigated farmland that produces Gloria ‘sugar’ beans and Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) maize seeds among other cash crops.
It is reported that farmers at the scheme are engaging in contract farming that requires them to produce the seeds for sale to agro-dealers.
The scheme is sustaining not only Rupike farmers but is also serving the surrounding communities.
The scheme was set up in 1992 after the construction of Tugwane Dam where farmers draw water from.
