By Tatiana Mhararira
The recently availed Tugwi Mukosi Master Plan has revealed plans aims to transform Masvingo’s agricultural sector by establishing three new irrigation schemes spanning 3,852 hectares two in Chivi and one in Masvingo District.
It also seeks to expand the existing Banga Irrigation Scheme from 64 to 195 hectares and the developments is expected to enhance food security, promote agricultural productivity, and support local economic growth.
The two in Chivi District will be in Ward 24 (Gororo) and one in Ward 34 of Masvingo District, to begin tapping into the dam’s 40 000 hectare irrigation potential.
The schemes will be established in phases of 20, 30, and 50 hectares while every household will get 0.5 hectares despite the province’s glaring irrigation deficit and long-standing food insecurity.
“The site targeted for the Gororo Irrigation Scheme has already been identified by the department of irrigation. The proposed plan involves a phased rollout of the scheme, covering 20, 30, and eventually 50 hectares, with each household allocated 0.5 hectares.
“Vast tracks of irrigable land in ward 34 of Masvingo District can also be targeted for irrigation because the drainage system in the area does not pose potential pollution and erosion to the Tugwi-Mukosi dam,” read the statement.
Tugwi-Mukosi Dam has the potential to irrigate approximately 40,000 hectares in the Lowveld region, making it a key element of Zimbabwe’s agricultural development strategy. In addition to supporting irrigation, the dam is expected to generate clean energy through a planned 15-megawatt power station.
Despite this potential, the province has 69 637 hectares under irrigation, 65,403 hectares are dedicated to sugar estates leaving only 4 234 hectares, about 10 percent of the dam’s capacity used for crop irrigation in the province. Chivi District, which shares the dam with Masvingo, has only six functional communal irrigation schemes covering a mere 272 hectares, despite also having access to Muzhwi Dam.
The government faced criticism for perceived misplaced priorities, particularly regarding plans for another massive project, Tende-Runde Dam which is expected to irrigate over 35,000 hectares and supply water to South Africa before utilising Tugwi-Mukosi.
Government officials have consistently spoken of transforming the province into an irrigation hub, with the envisioned greenbelt focused on producing citrus, sugar, and maize.
The implementation of the Tugwi-Mukosi Master Plan is expected to turn Chivi into a vibrant agricultural center, boosting food security and enhancing livelihoods for local communities.