Irrigation improves food security in Gutu
Sunday, 08 July 2012 11:22
BY STEPHEN TSOROTI
GUTU— A three-year sustainable livelihoods intervention project launched by
an international non-governmental organisation in Gutu has improved the food
situation in parts of the drought-prone district, an official has said.
Oxfam Advocacy and Policy officer, Lucina Machanzi said over 240 households
in two wards in the district were benefiting from the establishment of a
60-hectare gravity-fed irrigation project which is partly powered by solar
energy.
“The project was launched in 2009 after realisation that climate change has
become a major cause of food insecurity in the district. Food production and
income have since improved for the over 240 vulnerable households
participating in the project,” she said.
Sebastian Kasirai who is the village head for Murikitiko in Ward 13 said the
project had come at an opportune time, when the problem of erratic rains had
become a cause for concern.
He said domestic animals like cattle and goats were however still dying due
to tick- borne diseases, while others were falling prey to wild animals like
hyenas and jackals.
Chairperson of Ruti Irrigation Scheme, Saviour Muzuru said challenges in
acquiring inputs like seed, fertiliser as well as pesticides was hampering
the smooth flow of the project.