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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke in Binga

In the face of an El Niño-induced drought, Binga district is reaping the benefits of Government-backed irrigation initiatives which are helping to combat food and nutrition insecurity.

Zimbabwe is rolling out the accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development agenda to shift away from rain-fed agriculture towards more sustainable irrigation practices.

In Binga, local communities are benefiting from innovative schemes like Saba Green Valley and Lungwalala. While the larger Bhulaayo irrigation scheme is facing challenges to take off, the other two are thriving.

Yesterday, the Food and Nutrition Council board of directors visited the irrigation schemes in Binga to assess the progress that had been made in ensuring they contribute towards food security.

Business manager for the three irrigation schemes Mr Headman Muzamba said the projects are transforming lives.

“The Lungwalala scheme has 55 hectares of wheat, and we have also harvested sugar beans. Beneficiaries are providing for their families and selling surplus produce. Some are building houses and sending their children to school,” he said.

The Saba and Lungwalala schemes are supported by the Presidential Input Scheme and the United Nations Development Fund.

Traditionally an arid area, irrigation development is expected to improve the diversity of the crops being grown in Binga and improve the access to a variety of food sources for the communities.

“Here in Binga, we are used to growing sorghum and millet so wheat is a new grain for us. Some of these people saw wheat for the first time here, but we are doing well.

“We got the price of wheat recently and since we are expecting to get more than 30 tonnes from the current crop, this will give us good money and we can buy some of the equipment that we do not have while we take our children to school and get something to eat.

“We take 60 percent for the project and 40 percent for the beneficiaries according to how they were working,” said Mr Muzamba.

At Saba Irrigation Scheme, which started production last year, the group of 69 beneficiaries harvested 3,5 tonnes of sugar beans from 7,5 hectares of land. Another 7,5ha is currently under winter wheat and hopes are bright for a good harvest.

The 20ha scheme was established with funding from the United Kingdom through the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) and the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme it is leading.

Saba Irrigation Scheme chair Ms Molinah Mudimba thanked everyone for the project which she said was already making a difference in the lives of all its members.

“When we got money from selling the sugar beans, we used some of the money to open our account and the rest was paid to members who paid school fees for their children and other things.

“We are very thankful as a community to the Government and partners for giving us this project. It has given us the opportunity to improve our lives and work towards achieving the Government’s Vision 2030,” she said.

Youth beneficiary Ms Emerge Mumpande said farming was changing their lives for the better.

“As young people, we did not have much to do, but with the coming of this project, we spend our time working here and we get an income. I am happy I joined this irrigation scheme because it has changed my life,” she said.

Chief Saba, Mr Charles Mudenda, said the irrigation schemes were changing the lives of communities in his area.

“We started planting this year and we have already harvested beans. Now we have wheat which is almost ready. Because of the effects of climate change which we were prone to, we appreciate the irrigation scheme that has come in handy to fight off hunger,” he said.

The adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices within these irrigation schemes is further fortifying the community against future climate shocks.

Farmers have been trained in sustainable water management and soil health practices, ensuring long-term resilience.

FNC board chair Dr Ngaite Nkomo commended the impact that the project was making on the livelihoods of the communities.

“These irrigation schemes are an example of the successful initiatives being driven by the Government and we would like to see this replicated in all districts across the country because it works. Binga is a dry area but the irrigation schemes are working well. With irrigation I believe we can do anything. We can plant any crop throughout the year and this will contribute to food sufficiency and sustainability. Whatever will be harvested here will uplift the incomes of the community and the food security of the households,” she said.