Stephen Chadenga
CHIRUMHANZU: Acting Chief Hama, Joseph Zishiri has appealed to government for help with equipment to revamp the Hama Mavhaire irrigation Scheme following infrastructural destruction through flooding five years ago.
Zishiri told CommuTalk that the irrigation was the livelihood of many people in his area but is now underutilised following damage of pipes and pumps.
“There is definitely need for government and other well-wishers to chip in and assist with equipment at the scheme,” Zishiri said.
“The pipes and pumps were destroyed by heavy rains and the fence is in bad shape. I have also approached our local parliamentarian (Barbara Rwodzi) and she has shown keen interest in assisting,” he added.
Rwodzi confirmed having been engaged over the issue and promised that she will support towards revamping the scheme.
In 2016, heavy rains that pounded most parts of the country destroyed equipment at the irrigation leaving hordes of small holder famers stranded.
The main pipe which supplies water to irrigation fields was washed away and the engine that pumps water from the nearby Mavhaire Dam was not spared either.
The irrigation scheme, situated near Mashamba Primary School in Chirumhanzu District’s Ward 7 has been the source of livelihood for many families since its establishment 27 years ago.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Dr Anxious Masuka recently announced that government will soon put in place a Statutory Instrument which gives government power to kick out lazy famers from irrigation schemes amid challenges being faced by famers under irrigable land.
