Story by Grace Sibanda
ANOTHER wheat bumper harvest is expected this year with a focus on retaining the country’s status as the breadbasket of Africa.
Farmers in the Umguza District of Matabeleland North Province are basking in the revamping of the Redwood Irrigation Scheme, which is expected to contribute to the national wheat hectarage this year.
Beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme, which was commissioned this Monday, revealed how the facility has provided jobs for locals and how it will go a long way in contributing to national food security.
“We are grateful for the government’s help with revamping the irrigation. From this irrigation we now have jobs and we can pay fees for our children from the proceeds of the scheme,” said a beneficiary.
Another added saying, “The wheat harvest we have here is not only helping our community, we sell wheat to neighbouring villages and we are happy that we are also contributing to the growth of our economy.”
“As time goes we want to have a bakery and sell our produce so that we grow our irrigation scheme,” another reiterated.
The government is committed to capacitating various communities to ensure they are food sufficient.
“The success of this irrigation scheme is providing jobs and food for the people of Mguza. As things stand we look forward to being self-sufficient as a country and not importing wheat anymore. We aim to drive towards rural industrial thus echoing the President’s mantra of not leaving no one and no place behind,” said Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira.
Similar irrigation schemes are being replicated across the country in line with the government’s inclusive development agenda.
