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Martha Leboho
Masvingo City Council has warned residents against engaging in streambank cultivation, saying it will destroy crops grown on undesignated areas.

Addressing a Tree Planting Day commemoration in Masvingo last week, the city’s housing and community director, Mr Levison Nzvura, said council will slash crops grown along riverbanks and other water bodies. Before the beginning of the 2017-2018 summer cropping season, the local authority has been on a crusade against stream bank cultivation and farming on undesignated areas.

“We support urban agriculture, but it has to be controlled.

We advised residents before the rainy season that it is not allowed to grow crops along river beds or water bodies,” Nzvura said.

He urged residents to approach council for advice on areas reserved for agricultural purposes.

Mr Nzvura said council will take drastic measures in addressing the problem of stream bank cultivation.

Council, he said, was working with Government officials to deal with the scourge.

Affected areas in Masvingo Urban include the area along Mucheke River, Shakashe River and the Ndarama High School area.

Mr Nzvura said stream bank cultivation had an adverse impact on the environment.

“In the next five years, we won’t have any rivers if any of these practices are ignored,” he said.

“Our local city council offices are there to help residents who want to be allocated proper places to farm.”