By Staff Reporter
Member of Parliament for Mazowe Central Cde Dr. Maxmore Njanji has taken the cue to accelerate the full implementation of a 100 hectares’ irrigation project in Nyarumwe, Howard, Ward 11 in a bid to boost food security measures in his constituency.
Nyarumwe irrigation scheme was initiated by government some few years ago with three pivots covering 57 hectares of land already installed with the goal to harness water from the mighty Mwenje Dam.
However, lack of funding has been cited as the major challenge delaying the full operationalization of the scheme
Following the ravaging effects of the El-Nino induced drought that has not spared Chiweshe farmers too, Cde Njanji has embraced the task to push for completion of this climate proofing project in line with the National Development Strategy 1 on irrigation, mechanization and food security.
Speaking during the recent fact finding tour of the project with the local leadership, Cde Njanji vowed to engage all the relevant stakeholders so that all hiccups behind the project are addressed to the benefit of thousands of households in the area.
“I am pleased to see that we have such a huge project in this area which if fully implemented will dovetail with President Mnangagwa’s vision of an upper- middle class income society by 2030 where small holder farmers from this area will at least be able to generate income through various horticulture projects.
“Such projects will go a long way in addressing issues of climate change thereby positively impacting on food security issues. Therefore, I am going to engage relevant stakeholders including the office of the Provincial Minister Cde Christopher Magomo as well as the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Cde Njanji.
Scheme chairman Mr Stanley Mashiri confirmed having made some strides to engage the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) on a quest for the state of the project, “we engaged ZINWA officials in Bindura sometime ago and they confirmed that the project was among many other irrigation schemes in the pipeline hindered by lack of funds.”
Besides addressing food security issues, there is hope that the full implementation of the project will also contribute towards fighting the scourge of drug and substance abuse among the unemployed youths in the community.
During the tour it was established that several irrigation equipment including pipes and engine pump are already in place including an installed electricity transformer to power operations however concerns of vandalism of the infrastructure are getting high.
“The pivots will only cover 57 hectares however the project is designed with a facility of pipes that will be connected for sprinklers to cover the remaining 43 hectares and much of the equipment has since been availed though issues of security to guard against vandalism remain a challenge,” added Mashiri.