ZINWA develops irrigation schemes

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has so far rehabilitated several irrigation schemes in line with its new mandate of irrigation development, an official said on Tuesday.

In 2020, Government reviewed the mandate of ZINWA to include the development of irrigation infrastructure, including infield conveyance works in a move that was aimed at improving productivity at irrigation schemes. and boosting the uptake of water from dams.

ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager Marjorie Munyonga said the irrigation schemes that have been rehabilitated so far, cover a total of 4 423 hectares of land.

She said the rehabilitation exercise is expected to help improve productivity and water use efficiency at the beneficiary irrigation schemes countrywide.

“Rehabilitation works were successfully completed at irrigation schemes such as Arda Transau, Chilonga, Mananda, Sherwood Block, Lukosi, Nyamangara, Chomutamba, Taona, Deure and Bonde.

“Other schemes that have been successfully rehabilitated are Mhakwe, Vimbanayi, Chibuwe, Musaverema, Mushandike, Mapanzure and Silabuhwa.

“The rehabilitation works included repairs of conveyance canals, silt removal, resuscitation of pumping works, installation of pump sets, construction of pump houses, installation of electric motors and electrical improvements,” she said.

Munyonga said rehabilitation was also ongoing at River Ranch, Bubi Lupane, Impalavale, Hauke, Chimhanda, Chitora, Maryland, Seke Sanyati, Nenhowe and Mutange irrigation schemes.

“At Mutange Irrigation Scheme in Gokwe, ZINWA has constructed a 2 400 metre conveyance system, installed suction pipes and carried out land clearance and repairs of centre pivots,” said Munyonga.

According to the National Development Strategy 1, the country is targeting to put 350 000 hectares of land under irrigation by 2025.

New Ziana