US$1m brings irrigation scheme to life

A partnership between Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has invested US$1 million for the revitalisation of the 65-hectare Tshikwalakwala irrigation scheme, which has not been operating for the past 15 years.

Solar-powered pumps will now replace the moribound and expensive diesel pumps at the irrigation scheme.

The rehabilitation is now nearing completion, with the plot-holders and the contractor starting land preparation.

The plot holders expect to plant maize on 32 hectares under phase one of the project that has been made possible under the seven-year Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP).

SIRP national project coordinator, Mr Odreck Mukorera, said works in Beitbridge started in 2019.

“The SIRP project is being implemented in four provinces and in Matabeleland South, our focus is at Tshikwalakwala irrigation scheme which is being rehabilitated,” he said.

“This communal irrigation project was started the 1960s and has been grounded for a very long time, due to a number of challenges. The scheme has 65 hectares and 130 plotholders”.

Mr Mukorera said one of the major challenges at the project has been the use of diesel pumps which were not sustainable in terms of ever-increasing operational costs.

Under the upgrade, eight more boreholes will be drilled near the Limpopo River using modern technology, and also the existing three will be converted to use solar-powered pumps.

To pump the water, there were two ground-mounted solar plants with an output capacity of 75 kilowatts and 54 kilowatts.

“So far, the solar plants and the pump units have been installed and now the farmers are busy with land clearance so that they may start planting,” said Mr Mukorera.

“We are looking at the first crop to be planted before the end of August on the first 32 hectares which are ready for planting.”

Matabeleland South’s provincial irrigation engineer, Shepherd Mupotegwa, said the new solar system and the water infrastructure had the capacity to irrigate 1 000 hectares.

He said there was a proposal to extend the 65ha to 90ha in a set-up where 25ha will be put under citrus.

Beitbridge East Member of Parliament, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, said the revitalisation of Tshikwalakwala wil improve food security, and help the attainment of Vision 2030.

“Firstly, you will recall that during campaigns in 2018, this had turned into a bush area and people appealed for Government assistance,” he said.

“I want to thank President Mnangagwa and his Cabinet for giving this place the attention it deserves.
“Now it’s a dream come true for the community.

“The irrigation scheme has not been working for over 10 years.”

Cde Nguluvhe said the communities should work hard and to produce, and that they had no reason to fail considering the level of investment in the area by Government.

He said an increased production in agriculture will do away with the dependence syndrome among villagers.

The Irrigation Management Committee chairman, Mr John Kibi Muleya, said, “We thank the Government for coming to our rescue.

“We have been encountering challenges in reviving this project. Procuring diesel to power the three pumps had been a headache for many years and some plot holders were considering pulling out because of the state of affairs here.”-herald.cl.zw