The Sunday Mail
Harmony Agere
“In 2003, after some years of working, an organisation called Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (Tsuro) developed interest in what I was doing and they pledged to assist. They wanted to make my garden a big project but I refused and told them to use the money to establish an irrigation scheme which would benefit the economy rather than me alone.
Seventy-eight-year-old Mr Nelson Njobo is the man reputed for single-handedly reclaiming the once-desolate Bvumbura Village in Chimanimani district.
Mr Njobo has never needed persuasion to protect the environment, his love for conservation has seen him establish a nursery at his homestead.
In this garden he nurtures various types of trees, all clearly labelled for his records.
He knows over 70 trees by sight, and he dislikes anyone who kills wildlife needlessly — even snakes.
Mr Njobo’s love is not for environment conservation alone but also for humanity as he selflessly established the life-transforming Bvumbura Irrigation Scheme.
For a person with just a Standard 4 education, Mr Njobo possesses vast knowledge of environmental preservation and water engineering.
What makes his story even more exceptional is the fact that he pegged the irrigation area using basic engineering techniques and a spirit level as his only equipment.
Using these skills, he has channelled water from Shinja River to the irrigation fields using a canal system.
Last week, the unassuming Mr Njobo, who has three wives and 16 children, chronicled how he has brought hope to the Bvumbura community.
“It all started in 1993 when I came to settle in this area,” he said. “At that time there were no trees and water and many people shunned the area.
“So I started a small orchard here in my yard, planting all sorts of trees. I also kept a nursery of all the trees found in this area because I had realised that the few trees that were there were being cut down on a large scale. With the help of few other people we planted trees in the ward and today we now have a decent amount of forestry.”
Mr Njobo said donors developed an interest in what he was doing and offered to help him preserve the environment.
After agreeing to work with various organisations, Mr Njobo asked local authorities for land to use for irrigation purposes.
“In 2003, after some years of working, an organisation called Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (Tsuro) developed interest in what I was doing and they pledged to assist. They wanted to make my garden a big project but I refused and told them to use the money to establish an irrigation scheme which would benefit the economy rather than me alone.
“We started working on the irrigation scheme, there wasn’t enough money so I did all the pegging. I was using a spirit level but it all came out perfectly because even the professional engineers who came to inspect were satisfied. After pegging the canals, we had to peg and clear the fields.”
Despite starting the project for the community, not many people wanted to join the scheme
“At that time we faced challenges because people were refusing to come and take part in the exercise so we were left without manpower.
“However, after some time when people realised that the project was now functioning well they started joining and by 2007 we had 68 families taking part in the scheme. Since the land was limited not many people could join because there was nowhere to expand because the area is stony and mountainous.”
Despite starting the great initiative, Mr Njobo himself is no longer part of the scheme as bickering saw him withdraw and concentrate on his nursery.
“The issue of land (ownership) created a bit of some problems because some people were now accusing me of favouritism. When the plots were allocated the chief said I was not to go through the selecting process which other villagers were subjected to.
“The chief said I should just choose the plot I wanted because I was the one who had come up with the idea.
“People nonetheless continued to talk and I was finally removed from the plot I had chosen and I started clearing another rocky area. From then I worked that rocky plot until I left to concentrate on my garden.
“Donors have been coming in and supporting the project and although the irrigation is not yet as modern as others it has transformed lives. I am proud that the whole community is now benefitting and I want the scheme to keep on growing.”
About 68 families are benefitting from Bvumbura Irrigation Scheme and there are plans to expand it, though it lacks modern equipment and villagers have called for assistance to take things forward.
