George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
GOVERNMENT has started work to revive Mushandike Irrigation Scheme, amid plans to expand the project by 2 000 hectares as part of long-term efforts to boost food security across the province.

The irrigation project had virtually collapsed, with plot holders now depending on rains owing to an acute shortage of irrigation water in Mushandike Dam.

The dam is around four percent full, forcing farmers at one of the province’s biggest irrigation schemes to abandon irrigation which was commissioned in 1986 and straddles over 847,5 hectares.

Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Ezra Chadzamira, said Government was building a canal from Muzhwi Dam to the scheme to cater for the expansion.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement was already working on funding arrangements for the canal to resuscitate Mushandike.

“The new plan, which is now there, will see the size of Mushandike scheme increasing by over 2 000ha to nearly 3 000ha, which will benefit more plot holders, while also being a boon for food security in Masvingo and beyond,” said Minister Chadzamira.

“Revival of the scheme is one of our major targets as a province in line with efforts to achieve food security. The Mushandike canal project dovetails with Vision 2030 enunciated by President Mnangagwa and our people will benefit through improved food security, while also boosting their incomes from agricultural activities.”

Government wanted all idle water bodies, including Muzhwi in Chivi North, to be fully utilised to end hunger in Masvingo and other parts of the country.

Muzhwi is one of the biggest dams in Masvingo and most of its water is being used to irrigate sugar cane plantations in the Lowveld, over 100 kilometres away.