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Agriculture Reporter

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is now using satellite images to prevent illegal and unauthorised pumping of water from rivers and dams.

Zinwa is using the Geographical Information System (GIS) to monitor raw water abstractions along rivers and the actual irrigation done at farms. 

This will curb illegal water extraction and ensure that holders of water abstraction agreements, comply with their conditions.

Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, said the GIS will also allow the authority to detect where farmers may have understated their hectarage.

“Through the new system; every three days, Zinwa downloads satellite images that show irrigation activities and the actual hectarage being irrigated, which allows the authority to note any inconsistencies between what is on the ground and what is on the agreements. 

“The satellite images also show Zinwa where there is irrigation activity, but without water abstraction agreements, which will then prompt the authority to investigate the source of water for the irrigators,” she said.