Cyclone Idai-damaged agric infrastructure rehab begins

Kudakwashe Chidziya Manicaland Correspondent
The rehabilitation of Cyclone Idai damaged agricultural infrastructure is in progress, with seven out of 16 pump houses in Chimanimani already having been completed, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri has said.

Minister Shiri said this on Sunday after visiting the Cyclone Idai affected areas where agricultural infrastructure and land was destroyed.

“Rehabilitation of agricultural facilities like pump houses and irrigation equipment is currently underway so that agricultural activities resume early,” he said.

“Of the 16 pump houses in Chimanimani which were destroyed, seven have already been rehabilitated and they are now fully functional.

“The remaining nine are at various stages of repair and with resources permitting anytime soon we will be having them all functional,” he said.

After undertaking a crop assessment in Chimanimani and Chipinge, Minister Shiri said they discovered that fruit production was also affected with 467 hectares of banana plantations having been completely lost.

He also said a huge number of livestock have also been lost during the disaster.

“About 1 159 banana crops were damaged and 467 hectares of banana plantations completely destroyed. At least 52 hectares of pine apple plantations were damaged and 79 hectares completely destroyed.

“In Chimanimani area, villagers lost their livestock with over 1 300 cattle, 6oo sheep, 2 000 chickens and 100 goats were killed,” he said.

Min Shiri said Government will quickly move in to work on the gullies which were formed as a result of the cyclone damage.

He said environmental management was of paramount importance to restore cropping land.

“The cyclone also impacted on the environment and the Minister of Agriculture also highlighted on the urgent need to address the destruction.

“Gullies were formed which some cut across fields and plantations. There is need to look into this and I can assure you that the rehabilitation is to commence soon and restore Chimanimani’s aura,” he said.