The Sunday Mail
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
DAM construction, which is considered one of the major priorities of President Mnangagwa’s administration, is gradually enhancing the country’s capacity to support irrigation projects, climate-proof agriculture and supply potable water for domestic and industrial use.
Mashonaland East has been one of the major beneficiaries of this policy, as two major dams – Muchekeranwa and Chivhu – have been completed, while Kunzvi Dam, which is expected to end Harare’s water woes, is under construction after failing to take off for decades.
It will be completed next year.
With an envisaged capacity of 158 million cubic metres, Kunzvi will supply water to business centres in the province and planned irrigation schemes in Goromonzi. Chivhu Dam is set to be commissioned soon.
However, an irrigation scheme where an initial 120 hectares were put under wheat last year has already been established.
The Government chipped in by providing centre pivots.
The project is beginning to change lives.
“I am delighted that President Mnangagwa opened this scheme, as I am one of the beneficiaries. I am now able to plant crops throughout the year, get income to pay fees for my children and have a decent life from the crops that I grow,” said Ms Norea Rubhacha.
Separately, the Government plans to more than triple irrigable land near Muchekeranwa Dam, commissioned by President Mnangagwa in 2021, from 60ha to 200ha to ensure people who were resettled to make way for the project can benefit.
Some of the beneficiaries of this dam project – who were trained by experts from the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), as well as the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) – planted wheat last year and switched to maize in the current cropping season.
Mr Davison Upapa, who was relocated to pave the way for the dam, said his life had changed for the better.
“I am one of the people who was displaced for construction of the dam. However, Government did not relocate us to a faraway place,” he said.
“Government has established an irrigation scheme that is meant to benefit us. We are happy and we thank our President for this.
“What is left is for us to play our part and work hard on this project.”
Mrs Rudo Machaka commended the Government for providing both land and equipment to improve people’s livelihoods.
“I stay near this dam and I am happy with what Government has done for us. We were told back then that we would benefit from an irrigation scheme from Government and today we are witnessing the promise being fulfilled,” she said.
The acting director for AARDS, Mash East, Mr Leornard Munamati, said the construction of dams across the province would guarantee food security.
“Government’s thrust now is to establish irrigation schemes at every dam built so that people nearby can benefit through farming activities. Construction of these dams is a huge contribution to the agriculture sector in our province,” said Mr Munamati.
“These dams ensure that our farmers can produce throughout the year; they do not have to wait for summer rains.
“We also link all these farmers to viable markets. So, apart from providing water for residents, there is a certain hectarage set aside for farming so that communities benefit.”
The Mash East provincial development economist in the office of the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Tanyaradzwa Mupfawa, said:
“I commend Government for ensuring that dams, roads and related infrastructure development is being prioritised across the province for ease of doing business.
“This is going to guarantee sustainable development and grow the economy of the province for many years.”
