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    Government to continue supporting irrigation schemes

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    By Archford Chirimudombo

    MARONDERA– The Government’s measures and interventions including climate change mitigatory measures to ensure food security at household and national levels will continue in an orderly manner.

    Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo remarked this when he toured Saparanyambuya irrigation scheme in Mutawatawa, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) district where he was checking on the progress made on the implementation of the crucial project as well as drawing lessons for areas of improvement.

    According to beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme, they are already enjoying its fruits.

    Tichaona Chiutsi who is one of the beneficiaries said: “We are excited as a community. Our livelihoods have been transformed by this scheme. Before we started this, we used to only grow crops once every season and would take a break waiting for the following season’s rains.

    “Everything has changed and we are now growing winter wheat and other cash crops. The extra money that we are earning has been helping us to fend for our families.

    “In this community, we have young people who now expend their energy on something positive in their lives. They are always busy and we are sustaining our lives. We are now appealing to the authorities to spruce up the road which links the irrigation scheme and the main road so that we can transport our produce easily.

    Another beneficiary of the scheme, Stella Mhindirira also commended the positive impact that the project has been making in the community.

    “I have a family to feed and as a widower, I can now fend for my children. I spend most of my time working with my peers at this scheme. From my own observation, cases of domestic violence have also decreased as couples no longer have time to be involved in that. We are now guaranteed of food security at household level,” Mhindirira said.

    Dr Gumbo challenged the scheme’s beneficiaries to make full use of the land availed to them to ensure the country’s food security and improved livelihoods. Such objectives will only be met if the scheme is fully utilised. Irrigation is one the mitigatory measure put in place by Government to ensure food security.

    “Crucially, we must remember that the development of irrigation is essential to guaranteeing food and income security at household and national levels, which directly contributes to the broader economic growth and national sovereignty.”

    Beneficiaries of the Saparanyambuya irrigation scheme were commended for ensuring that the project is successful.

    Dr Gumbo said: “When this project was established, people with various skills were employed. In the past few months, this community has been benefitting in many ways. The scheme has increased land productivity and crop diversification. Farmers are now growing cereal crops such as maize in summer and wheat in winter.

    “There is now perennial production of cash crops like cucumbers, and water melons. Additionally, irrigation in UMP has unlocked potential of small scale subsistence farmers to contribute positively towards sustainable food security solutions rather than relying on donor funding for food handouts.”

    An appeal was also made for the beneficiaries to sparingly use the water drawn from the dam.

    New Ziana

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