Government has started feasibility studies on a multi-million-dollar canal project to draw water for irrigation from the underutilised Manjirenji Dam here in a landmark development expected to bolster efforts to boost food security in parts of Zaka and rural Chiredzi districts.

Once developed, the planned canal will result in the development of over 4 000 hectares for irrigation in the eastern parts of the arid Zaka such as Benzi, Manyiri, Matara, Pasipanyoro and areas immediately around Manjirenji Dam.

The ambitious irrigation project is also billed to benefit the extreme northern parts of Chiredzi, downstream of the water body that bisects Zaka and Bikita districts.

Zaka East National Assembly Member Cde Clemence Chiduwa on Tuesday said officials from the Ministry of Agriculture were currently doing feasibility studies on the planned canal from Manjirenji Dam to Manyiri communal lands.

“Experts from the Agriculture Ministry are carrying feasibility studies on the water canal project and the purpose of the study is basically to identify the cheapest route to build the canal that will draw water from the dam downstream to areas like Manyiri, Benzi and the northern parts of Chiredzi where there have been numerous reports of water challenges.

“Preliminary findings show that if the canal is built, over 4 000ha will be put under irrigation in areas where the canal will pass through with gravitational force being used to irrigate fields.”

The legislator, who is also the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development, said there was tremendous scope for irrigation development using water from Manjirenji Dam.

He said plans to create a greenbelt across Zaka will enhance food security across the arid district. The proposed irrigation project is also expected to become a reliable source of green produce for Jerera Growth Point and Chiredzi Town both with a combined estimated population of over 100 000.

“Government, through Treasury, will finance the construction of the canal and all that remains is for the team from the Ministry of Agriculture to complete feasibility studies before work on the project starts,” he said.

Zaka is slowly transforming into an irrigation hub, with the drought-prone district being home to major irrigation schemes such as Fuve-Panganai, Mabvute and Nyatare, among others which are the backbone of food security in the district.