Deputy Minister Davis Marapira
From George Maponga in Masvingo
Masvingo’s major irrigation schemes are set for a major turnaround after the Swiss Government unveiled a $6 million grant to boost operations through the use of modern and efficient technology.
The province is one of the driest in Zimbabwe and perennially experiences food shortages because of poor rains, prompting calls for a shift towards irrigation which is reliable.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for Cropping Cde Davis Marapira said over 20 strategic schemes across the province would be revitalised through the grant from Switzerland.
He said the major thrust of the revitalisation programme was to install latest irrigation technology to improve efficiency and yields at the targeted irrigation schemes.
“Feasibility studies at the irrigation schemes that will benefit from the Swiss facility in Masvingo have already been completed and we are looking at revitalisation of irrigation schemes as opposed to resuscitation because we are targeting to improve efficiency through the use of latest methods of irrigation,’’ he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the Swiss grant was being channeLled through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
He said the irrigation revitalisation programme was being led by the Department of Mechanisation and Irrigation in his ministry.
‘’In the wake of changing weather patterns caused by global warming, there is need for Zimbabwe to adopt the latest irrigation technology which is efficient while at the same time saving water. With this grant from the Swiss government, we will install the latest technology at our irrigation schemes,’’ said Deputy Minister Marapira.
Among the major irrigation schemes set to benefit from the Swiss grant are Mushandike, Sikato and Rupike in Masvingo; Rupangwana and Chilonga in Chiredzi and Fuve-Panganai in Zaka.
Fuve-Panganai Irrigation Scheme has been expanding its operations to cover production of hybrid maize seed that is now being exported to countries in the region such as Zambia and Swazi- land.
Masvingo has arguably the highest dam density in the country making the province a potential breadbasket for the country through a shift to irrigation.