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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
IRRIGATION schemes in Manicaland are set to get a new lease of life after Government, through the District Development Fund (DDF), committed funds towards the resuscitation of irrigation projects under the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development programme.

Under the programme, DDF is expected to revamp 2 000 hectares of irrigable land per year in each district.
Manicaland DDF provincial head Mr Robert Chawatama said they revamped irrigation schemes in Cashel Valley, Chimanimani and Nyamajura in Mutasa district. Mr Chawatama said the rehabilitation of the irrigation schemes was nearing completion.

“We are hoping to have more projects next year. This year we have already done Nyajura and Cashel Valley. Our thrust is to cover about 2 000ha per district per year,” he said.

In Cashel Valley, DDF has since developed 386 hectares of irrigable land occupied by 381 families who irrigate using flood irrigation system.

According to DDF the Cashel Valley project was allocated $1 430 000 which also saw the drilling and installation of three new boreholes for potable water.

Only two boreholes were functional servicing about 610 households in the area.
Cashel Valley Irrigation Scheme, which has been operating below 30 percent capacity, will also see the construction of weirs at Quaggas, Maraisi and Bomhoni and the rehabilitation of another weir at Svinurai.

Three weirs were set to be constructed with mobilisation of resources towards lining of 24km earth irrigation canals already underway.