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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
Gokwe South villagers are set to benefit from the recently unveiled $40 million solar irrigation project by the Government. The multi-million-dollar project, which seeks to eradicate climate change effects, will see solar irrigation structures being built in Gokwe, Chiredzi, Buhera, Chimanimani, Lupane and Bulilima.

For Gokwe South District, a solar irrigation project is under construction at Mubumbi Machakato Irrigation Scheme. Once complete, the irrigation scheme will rely on solar energy for pumping water and other things that need power to run their scheme. In an interview, acting director in the Climate Change Management Department under the Ministry of Water Resources Development and Climate Mr Elisha Moyo said Gokwe South villagers will benefit immensely from the solar energy.

“We know rains are decreasing, becoming erratic and are not able to sustain rain fed agriculture, so this programme seeks to strengthen the adaptive capacity of communities,” he said.

“Like in this case in Gokwe South where they will be able to do irrigation, have disposable income suppose they grow other high valued cash crops. The villagers from Gokwe South will benefit immensely from this project. They can form irrigation cooperatives and sell their produce for a living. One good thing about this project is that it is environmentally friendly.” Mr Moyo said the solar irrigation facility would also empower women and disadvantaged members of society as they would have easy access to clean water.

“The peculiar thing about these irrigation schemes which are still being constructed is that it’s going to help women and the most vulnerable members of the community not to fetch water using their manual labour which can expose them to further diseases and can shorten their lifespan. So, we are going to use our God- given resources such as solar, the sun’s heat, to power those irrigation schemes,” he said.