Cashel Valley to resume bean production

OVER 300 families are set to benefit from the resuscitation of the Cashel Valley Irrigation Scheme in Chimanimani District following calls to revive agro-processing in the bean-producing area.

The revival of the scheme that covers Cashel Valley resettlement area, which includes Guhune, Biriiri and Gonzoni is being headed by the District Development Fund (DDF), which is also working on drilling boreholes in the area.

In an interview with The Herald, Chimanimani acting district administrator Mr Lloyd Kasima said the work headed by DDF was progressing well, with plans to resuscitate bean production also underway.

“So far, three weirs have been successfully rehabilitated,” he said. “DDF is now working on the construction of water canals and a water reservoir for night storage.”

Mr Kasima said while work on the restoration of the irrigation equipment was underway, negotiations were also taking place to revive bean production in the area.

“Cairns Foods is currently negotiating with smallholder farmers in the area to revive bean production for the well-known Cashel Valley beans brand,” said Mr Kasima.

The Cashel Valley Irrigation Scheme had been lying dormant for a while, which resulted in a decrease in agricultural productivity for the district.

Calls have been made by the local community to revive the irrigation scheme and canning factory in order to bring back economic activities in the valley and restore the area’s past glory.

Cashel Valley is known for producing canned beans, a popular brand whose production had come to a grinding halt in recent years.