Story by Providence Maraneli
The sustained wet spell being experienced in Matabeleland South province has renewed hope in communities which are now looking forward to a better summer cropping season different from the disastrous past season.
The sight of ducks paddling the water as they swim and crickets’ sounds all over the banks of Masholomoshe Dam in Gwanda South spells the dawn of a new season.
This is the dam that only two weeks ago was completely dry due to the El-Nino-induced drought last year.
What is important about the sudden filling up of the dam is that last year government and its development partner, UNDP spent US$600 000 reviving Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme, but nothing was planted because the dam was dry.
Now with the dam spilling, farmers have started preparing to plant with hope that the centre-pivots will for the first time turn.
A farmer who spoke to the ZBC News said, “We are excited, the dam was filled to the levels we have not seen in a long time and remember last year we did not do anything, so now starting. Tomorrow it’s all hands on deck.”
The 38-hectare irrigation scheme, which had become barren due to the elnino-induced drought experienced in the 2023/24 season, was revived under the Green Climate Fund.
“We failed to do anything last year because we did not have water in the dam, but this year it is filled. What we have done so far is that we have tested the tractors that we received from government, members are busy reviving the parameter fence. We have also told the contractor to come and help us test the centre pivots because we never used them, so we are encouraged by the recent overflowing of the dam. Starting tomorrow no one will sleep, we are going to work hard to bring the scheme back to its glory days,” noted Mr Polite Ndlovu, chairperson of Masholomoshe Irrigation Scheme.
Matabeleland South province has received significant rains since last week, with Makwe, Masholomoshe and other small dams getting significant infill.
The rains have also made weeding and late planting easier for conventional farmers.
