Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
THE construction of Muchekeranwa Dam has ignited massive agricultural activities in Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces, with the communities impressed by the government’s strategic planning to ensure food security.
The commissioning of the dam in 2021 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa triggered accelerated agricultural activities covering 200 hectares for Manicaland Province and another 200 hectares in Mashonaland East province.
Communities close to the dam grabbed the opportunity to venture into horticultural activities, while some are into irrigated crops such as maize and tobacco.
One of the farmers, Mr Davison Mupapa is a shining example in horticulture – producing tomatoes, butternuts, cucumbers and green-mealies.
“We thank the government for availing water, hence all the works we are doing here. The government must replicate this across the country with farmers taking charge of the initiative for food security,” he said.
Zimbabwe has more than 10 000 water bodies, amid government’s target to stop relying on rain-fed agriculture.
At Muchekeranwa Dam, an irrigation scheme of 48 families has been supported by government through centre-pivots to promote agricultural activities in the area.
“We are grateful to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for coming up with such an initiative and giving us centre pivots. Some of them are already here and some will come to cover 172 hectares,” a farmer said.
“We are happy with this gesture, we also hope to make sure that we will deliver on our part regarding food security,” another added.
“We are doing our best as farmers are now planting tobacco, butternuts, vegetables, maize among others,” a farmer noted.
Muchekeranwa dam will not only benefit nearby communities, but other farmers 26 kilometres away.
A pipeline linking Muchekeranwa and Wenimbi dams is being constructed to enable water sharing, with some of the water set to supply Chitungwiza residents under phase 3 of the project.
“We are building a pipeline to reach Wenimbi Dam, to cater for farmers in that area to ensure they irrigate consistently. We are at 20 percent level and we hope by the same period next year, we will be complete with this project,” Muchekeranwa Dam’s resident engineer, Joel Mbatha said.
There are 12 new dams which are under construction to ensure the smooth expansion of irrigation schemes across the country.
Zimbabwe intends to expand irrigation hectarage from the current 221 000 hectares to nearly 500 000 hectares by 2030.
