Harare, (New Ziana)-The rehabilitation of Wanezi Dam in Insiza District, Matabeleland South province, is ushering in a new economic era for surrounding communities, with expanded access to irrigation, clean water and fisheries expected to improve livelihoods and strengthen food security, the government has said.
‎in a post on the X platform on Monday, the government said the revitalised dam is already unlocking a range of economic opportunities by supporting year-round agricultural production, improving household water security and creating sustainable income-generating activities through fisheries.
‎”‎The project is expected to strengthen food security by enabling irrigation farming, reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture and boosting productivity in a region prone to recurrent droughts. Communities are also benefiting from improved access to safe water for domestic use and livestock, enhancing public health and agricultural resilience,” it said.
It said the availability of irrigation water is expected to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, increase crop yields and enable farmers to diversify into high-value crops throughout the year.
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The project is also improving access to safe water for domestic use and livestock, enhancing public health while strengthening the resilience of farming communities against the effects of recurrent droughts that have frequently affected the region, it said.
‎Beyond crop production, the government also said the rehabilitation has opened new prospects in fish farming, creating additional sources of nutrition, employment and household income, with the development expected to stimulate broader rural economic growth by promoting value chain activities linked to fisheries and agriculture.
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The Wanezi Dam rehabilitation forms part of the broader government strategy to maximise the economic value of water infrastructure under the Rural Development 8.0 model.
‎‎Government has prioritised the rehabilitation of existing dams alongside the construction of new water bodies across the country as part of efforts to improve climate resilience and accelerate rural development.
‎Projects such as Wanezi Dam are expected to play a significant role in enhancing food security, creating sustainable livelihoods and advancing the vision of attaining an empowered upper middle-income economy by 2030, said the government.
‎As investment in strategic water infrastructure continues, the transformation taking place at Wanezi Dam demonstrates how harnessing water resources can drive economic activity, improve living standards and create lasting opportunities for rural communities.
New Ziana
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