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Fungai Lupande

Mash Central Bureau

Smallholder farmers at Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme will be smiling all the way to the bank after a bumper wheat yield following the resuscitation of the scheme.

The farmers put 20 hectares under wheat and the yield is encouraging, with Rushinga district now hoping that more irrigation projects will be implemented as the Government accelerates construction of Semwa Dam.

Semwa Dam will irrigate 12 000 hectares, and the traditionally dry area will start to get food consistently and President Mnangagwa’s administration vows to ensure every district engages in some form of cropping, be it maize or traditional grains.

Already, the Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme has become a lifeline in the district, which is facing food shortages following a difficult 2021/2022 agricultural season, and Government is delivering maize to ensure no one starves, as promised by the President.

As the district tackles the effects of climate change, young and old people are flocking to Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme in search of work in exchange for wheat, sugar beans and green-mealies. Chairperson of the irrigation scheme Mr Farai Samson Chapatarongo said they headed President Mnangagwa’s call to increase wheat production.

“We are aware of how the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected wheat imports. We headed the call by the Government to utilise land and irrigation in increasing wheat production,” he said.

“We want to achieve food self-sufficiency. We are receiving tremendous support from the irrigation department. Recently they gave us a new pump and they promised to give us another pump soon. 

“On the other hand, the Government gave us a tractor so that this scheme is mechanised.”

The irrigation scheme covers 72 hectares and 40 hectares are under a centre pivot.

A second centre that could cover a further 12 hectares is broken down.

The scheme has 51 farmers, of which 17 are women. An office is now being constructed for record keeping and security.

Mr Chapatarongo said they will soon venture into fish farming and establish a kiosk for horticulture produce.

Department of Irrigation engineer, Oliver Munhangu, said Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme was one of the best schemes in the province.

He promised that they will repair and resuscitate the broken-down centre pivot to enable the scheme to maximise production.

“We are going to train your pump operators because sometimes they lack skills and knowledge on how to maintain the pump. 

“We are urging the community not to tamper around with the pump,” he said.

Rushinga legislator Cde Tendai Nyabani said he was impressed by the Chimhanda irrigation, especially its contribution to the national wheat production.

He thanked the Government for mechanising the scheme to enable production of food all year-round.

“We are in a dry region and we receive minimal rainfall. This is why the Government is accelerating construction of Semwa Dam to turn Rushinga into a greenbelt,” he said.

“The Government is doing its best. You have Agritex officers to help you in turning agriculture into a business. This will save the fiscus of foreign currency.

“The Second Republic is leaving no one and no place behind.”

Cde Nyabani added that the scheme had played its part in boosting in wheat production.

He advised the community that the Government had availed 183 tonnes of grain to assist families that do not have food following poor harvests in the last cropping season.

An Agritex officer said the scheme was a beacon of hope in the district.

“Beneficiaries have managed to run the scheme like a business. A cropping programme allows all farmers to have the same crop,” he said.

“The wheat is ripe and does not need water. Block farming helps in managing water. It is not viable to have maize or beans in the same block with wheat because the water requirements are now different.

“Crop rotation is a natural herbicide. The provincial Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme will be launched here in Rushinga and we encourage you to take up as many plots as you can.”