Lydia Koto
Small Irrigation Revitalization Programme (SIRP) has urged irrigation farmers to use block system as it helps in conserving water leading to higher yields as there will be enough water all year round.
Speaking at Banga Irrigation Scheme field day, SIRP national project coordinator Odrek Mukokera said the block system that their organization introduced proved to be effective as evidenced by high quality and quantity of yields produced at the irrigation scheme.
Mukokera also added that their aim as SIRP was to reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers to food and nutrition insecurity, climate change and economic shocks.
“I am happy with the good work which we have witnessed here. The block system we introduced proved to be effective as indicated by the quality and quantity of wheat and maize we have seen today. Our main aim as an organization is to reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers to negative effects of climate change and thus national food insecurity,” said Mukokera.
Banga irrigation scheme under the help of SIRP introduced the block system of irrigation because it saves water after realizing that using canals for their irrigation was causing loss of water hence decided to introduce the system.
Chairperson for Banga irrigation scheme Munogweyi Mateza thanked the government and SIRP for their support.
Mateza said government helped them with seeds and input and SIRP helped them with farming skills and other technical services.
“I want to thank government for the seed and inputs they gave us. I also want to thank SIRP for helping us with seeds, main pump, building six double toilets , donated 4.7 km fence, teach farmers how to produce sanitizers, youth were trained in bee keeping, farmers given 84 chicken each one getting five.
“Farmers were also taught how to manage farming projects and post harvesting management among others,” said Mateza.
Despite the good results that block system is producing at Banga irrigation scheme, Mateza said that they are still having shortage of infield get valves and hydrants.
Mateza said that about seven hydrants are needed for the capacitation.
“Although the government and SIRP are helping us, we still have some challenges like shortage of infield get valves and hydrants .We need about seven hydrants in our irrigation scheme,” he added.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira who was the guest of honour at the event said he was impressed with the results that block system had produced at Banga irrigation scheme.
“Today we have a ripe winter wheat ready for harvesting at this scheme that was rehabilitated by the government of Zimbabwe and SIRP. This scheme was using canals which were replaced by hydrants and horse for efficient and effective use of water. This has also helped reduce water losses as canals were difficult to maintain as leakages were rampant,” said Chadzamira.
He also challenged farmers should utilize land effectively and those who are not able to utilize it, should give pave way for those who can.
“Gone are the days of having plots laying fallow or beneficiaries of plots renting out their plots .Those not capable of utilizing their plots should pave way for productive farmers and concentrate on dry land production. Irrigation schemes belong to the government of Zimbabwe and as such productive farmers should benefits and utilize these irrigation schemes,” he added.
Chief Madzivire thanked government and SIRP for their support as this has uplifted the livelihoods of Chivi people.
“I want to thank government and SIRP for their support .This irrigation scheme has uplifted the livelihoods of people of Madzivire as some are now able to send their children to school,” said Chief Madzivire.
Members of Banga irrigation scheme received three wheelbarrows, a shovel and five sprayers from SIRP.
