Inskumani Irrigation Scheme come tops

Lower Gweru (The Times-New Ziana) – Inskumani Irrigation Scheme in Lower Gweru on Wednesday scooped first prize in the 2019 National irrigation competitions, winning RTGS30 00, a trophy and maize seed from various seed companies.

The prize giving ceremony took place at its irrigation scheme in Lower Gweru.

Siyalima irrigation scheme from Mashonaland Central came second and received RTGS25 000, while Magokobi Irrigation Scheme from Matebeleland South was third and got RTGS20 000. They all also received seed from various seed houses.

The competition started at district and provincial levels before going to the national level where attention was put on efficient water, energy, and land, climate change and production management.

Insukamini chairperson Morleen Majazi said the scheme had won through sheer hard work, and that this would spur them to aim even higher.

“I am happy that we have won. Hard work forever pays,” she said.

Agritex officer Hardwick Ennemore, who oversees Insukamini Irrigation Scheme, expressed satisfaction with the achievement but said was disappointed with the prizes offered.

“I was expecting something more tangible like a tractor or a centre pivot which were given last year’s winners, this is too little than what l was expecting,” she said.

Insukamini’s win represents Midlands Province’s first success in the competitions.

In a speech read on his behalf, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Retired Air Marshal Perrence Shiri applauded the competitions, saying they were an important aspect of the government’s efforts to ensure that irrigation systems are productive and sustainably managed to effectively drive the country’s vision of becoming a middle class economy by 2030.

“The government is keen to sustain these competitions and would like to encourage the corporate world to dig deeper and increase funding and prizes,” he said.

The Times-New Ziana