The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TEN irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South are set to be rehabilitated under the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP) with four expected to be fully operational by year-end.
In an interview, Matabeleland South provincial Agritex crop officer, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said construction works were underway at two irrigation schemes while feasibility studies were being conducted at the other eight.
“Under the SIRP programme, 10 irrigations in Matabeleland South have been earmarked for rehabilitation. Feasibility studies have been conducted at Sebasa and Chikwalakwala irrigations and they are now at construction stage. For Guyu Irrigation feasibility has been completed though construction works haven’t started and at Mtangamuchena the feasibility study is almost complete and construction works will start soon.
“In Makwe, Silalatshani, Thornville, Mankonkoni, Rustlers, Bambanani irrigations feasibility study is underway as the private consultant is doing the works on the ground. We hope to have Sebasa and Chikwalakwala fully operational in June and we expect to see water running and crops. Irrigation engineers are saying they will use solar systems for the irrigations. By end 2020 Sebasa, Chikwalakala, Guyu and Mtangamchena must have some tangible progress in terms of commissioning. Then in 2021 Mankonkoni, Makwe and Rustlers must follow,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said for Guyu Irrigation the target was to have the contractor on the ground by May. He said the target was to revitalise the whole irrigation system to align it with global standards and to address the climate change challenges.
Mr Ndlovu said the SIRP programme also has a nutrition component covering the dry land farmers under the greater scheme programme. He said one-hectare nutrition gardens will be established in each ward where irrigation schemes are being rehabilitated.
Mr Ndlovu said programmes on farmer capacity building which include crop production, business development and the nutrition aspect were underway.
“These nutrition gardens are important and we have to ensure their sustainability. Before we establish these nutrition gardens under the SIRP programme we request farmers to give us land where they can establish a small nutrition garden then they demonstrate their commitment and determination. This helps us to measure and encourage sustainability so that we are certain that the community can do a better thing and can sustain the one-hectare nutrition garden,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said they were also encouraging farmers to venture into fodder production.
“Under the farmer field schools we are saying the element of cereal production, element of horticulture and livestock are key for a livelihood intervention at household level so we are now embarking on demonstrations on fodder production. We have livestock farmers and instead of allowing their animals to die they can grow fodder under irrigation or dry land, preserve it and then feed their animals during the dry season,” he said.
The SIRP programme was launched in November 2017 with the aim to assist the revitalisation of irrigation schemes across the country through rehabilitation of infrastructure. It is a Government led programme funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
@DubeMatutu
