Dam de-siltation exercise complete

Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT has completed the de-siltation of Dongaronga Dam in Musengezi, which is one of 32 on-going projects under the national desiltation and irrigation development programme.

The de-siltation programme was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2016 at the same dam, which supports Rudaviro and Dzingainhamo cooperatives. De-siltation of dams and resuscitation of irrigation schemes is among a raft of measures Government is putting in place to ameliorate the effects of climate change and the resultant food shortages.

Acting permanent secretary for the District Development Fund (DDF) and related infrastructure Mr Edwin Toriro said efforts were underway to ensure that each district had the capacity to irrigate 200 hectares.

“Government gave a Cabinet directive that from a national point of view, at least 200ha of irrigation should be resident in each district, and we are actually following that directive,” said Mr Toriro.

“In terms of support to the agriculture sector, we are actually supporting farmers under Command Agriculture. They have received inputs and all we want to assure them is the availability of water.” Government, through DDF, is targeting to develop and resuscitate at least 62 irrigation schemes under the greenbelt development programme. Plans are underway to establish such a scheme in the Mola area of Nyaminyami district, drawing water from Lake Kariba.

“Mola irrigation scheme is part of the 62 irrigation schemes DDF is developing under the greenbelt irrigation development programme. So we are moving in that direction. We have the zeal and the technical expertise to tame the mighty Kariba to ensure that we establish a greenbelt at Mola,” he said.

Dongaronga Dam was restored to its original holding capacity at a total cost of $14 500. Some irrigation equipment, including a new pump, pipes and sprinklers, have since been installed while others have been purchased and expected on site soon.

Apart from resuscitating the irrigation schemes, DDF is actively trying to put up infrastructure such as toilets, boreholes, including help making the agricultural fields accessible. Chairperson of irrigation schemes around the dam Mr Clevermore Kent said Government’s initiative to revive the irrigation schemes is commendable.

“We thank Government for its intervention in desilting Dongaronga dam, which supports Rudaviro and Dzingainhamo cooperatives so that we can start irrigating our crops, including wheat,” said Mr Kent. He also applauded Government for introducing the food for work programme, which saw the reinforcement of the Dongaronga Dam wall.

The dam will support about 70 hectares of land under irrigation, but with increased infrastructure, more land can be irrigated. Meanwhile, DDF is set to take delivery of $2,8 million worth of borehole drilling rigs from India.