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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau

The revival of Chilonga Irrigation Scheme in southern Chiredzi is on course for completion before the October deadline, as the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa walks the talk on ensuring food security through rehabilitation of moribund irrigation schemes.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently toured the irrigation scheme and directed that the rehabilitation of the facility be completed by October 1.

The Chilonga Irrigation Scheme collapsed 13 years ago, due to a shortage of water following the siltation of Runde River.

About 100ha out of the targeted 160ha have been rehabilitated and put under various crops by plot-holders following the commissioning of a new pumping plant.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is spearheading the scheme’s revival with plans afoot to expand it to 700ha transforming it into a food security mainstay in southern Chiredzi.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira, yesterday expressed optimism that the 60 days by which to bring the scheme back on its feet will be met.

“We are now in the last phase of rehabilitating and everything points that we will be able to meet our October deadline to have finished rehabilitating the scheme by restoring irrigation on the original entire 160ha that was under crops before the scheme collapsed,” said Minister Chadzamira.

“So far plot-holders have put 100ha under different crops, particularly maize after getting inputs assistance from Government. We are on course to revive the scheme and so far the progress is encouraging.”

He said the Government was committed to availing resources for rehabilitation of collapsed irrigation schemes to ensure food security.

Chilonga was a priority because of its centrality in the food security role in the arid southern Chiredzi area.

Under the rehabilitation exercise that was done in phases, 48ha were first developed before moving onto the second stretch of 53ha.

The last leg will involve rehabilitating 57ha in a development that will mark a new dawn in Chilonga.

Chilonga irrigation’s collapse had dire, far-reaching consequences for the community as the area was left without a reliable source of food and disposable income.

Upon completion of the rehabilitation works, all the 315 plot-holders will be back on their plots while plans to expand it to 700ha will bring smiles on the faces of people in the communities which are usually affected by drought.

The scheme will also become a source of fresh produce and even food for residents of Chiredzi, which is the district’s commercial capital.

Its revival also falls under the impending development of a multi-million dollar lucerne grass project in the area by Kwekwe-based milk processor, Dendiary.