The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube in Binga, Senior Reporter
THE Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation scheme in Binga will next month have its first crop planted, 16 years since the inception of the scheme in 2004.
The 15 000-hectare scheme, which has experienced a number of false starts since 2004, saw Government this year upping efforts to see the project finally take off as a means of ensuring that the Matabeleland North district moves at par with others in terms of development. Vice-President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday said the planting of the first crop at the scheme was evidence to the Second Republic’s commitment to ensuring that the nation attains an upper middle-class economy by 2030.
The pump station at the irrigation scheme at Bulawayo Kraal in Binga which VP Chiwenga toured
VP Chiwenga was speaking after touring the facility and getting an update on the project from Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), which is in the process of courting investors for the project. The Vice-President said the objective of the project was to transform the Binga community to become business-oriented farmers and improve their livelihoods.
“I was here on May 1 and from there, work which must be done for this project to kick start was being worked out. Today we have agreed with all members of Government, ministers who I am with today and officials from parastatals that by next month we want to see the first crop at the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme. At the same time the programme to expand the scheme to 15 000 hectares will continue. This programme is essential to agriculture produce consistence which is a key component of President Mnangagwa’s vision of attaining an upper middle-class economy by the year 2030,” he said.
Gogo Karidobe Mudimba 80 moves to collect her food humper from Vice president Chiwenga at Bulawayo Kraal in Binga
VP Chiwenga said the project is expected to transform the Binga community into an economic hub and further change the livelihoods of locals.
“There is no room for failure but only room for success. All of us have to work with a unity of purpose so that all objectives are met. If we fail, rather we be arrested, besides our jails have a lot of space because we recently freed up some space through the Presidential Amnesty. We want to prepare a nice future for children hence the need for all of us to work hard,” said the Vice-President.
VP Chiwenga further revealed that the project will also see the construction of Siabuwa to Karoi Road noting that for any community to develop there was a need for a good road network. He said Government was fully aware that the road network in Binga needed to be urgently looked at hence their commitment to ensure that the project kickstarts.
“After the development of land, Arda and its partners must integrate the local community through in-grower and out-grower schemes in furtherance of Arda’s rural development mandate.
“The irrigation scheme aims at putting 1 500 hectares under citrus and the remaining 13 500 ha under raw crop production such as soya, maize, cotton and sorghum. Further with Binga’s proximity to the Zambezi there will also be the establishment of a fishery and crocodile project, noting especially that the market for these is endless,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said in terms of the scope of investment the identified investor would work on land clearing, irrigation infrastructure development, purchasing of plant and equipment and property development which will include the establishment of a value addition facility.
Speaking at the same function, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube said the aim was that when the project starts operating preference be given to the local communities in terms of employment as this would help uplift the community.
“This project will go a long way in uplifting the community in raising income and taking people out of poverty. The aim for the Government is not to make a profit out of this project or to admire beautiful equipment. It is instead to raise people’s livelihoods. What will happen is that people from the local community should be given first preference in employment especially the women,” said Prof Ncube.
VP Chiwenga also donated 150 food parcels to homesteads surrounding the irrigation scheme. Also present at the function were Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos, Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo and Minister of State in VP Chiwenga’s office, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu.
