Irrigation in limbo as Chivi dams dry up

Irrigation in limbo as Chivi dams dry up

By Pertunia Gotoza M134281

CHIVI- Preparations for the winter irrigation season is hanging in the balance in Chivi district amid reports that major water sources are drying up.

In an exclusive interview, villagers recently revealed that they were not sure ifd their winter crops will reach maturity stage since there might be no enough water for irrigation as Tugwi River, which is the main source of water for the majority of irrigation schemes in the district, is slowly but surely drying up.

The irrigation schemes which are most affected by water shortage are Nyevedzanai, Nyamakwe and the recently revamped Tizai in Chivi Central.

Mercy Moyo who said she has a plot at Nyamakwe Irrigation scheme pleaded with government and the local authority to avail funds for the refurbishment of dams that were destroyed by water cyclones at the turn of the millennium.

“The dam which used to supply water to the irrigation was destroyed by heavy rains around 2002 and since then it was never repaired. We are getting water from Tugwi River and the fear is that the remaining water might not pull us throughout the winter cropping season. We survive by selling farm produce so we plead with government to provide funding for refurbishment of our local dams,” said Moyo.

She added that they also pay school fees for their children using the money they realise from selling the produce.

Taurai Soro said they had pinned their hope for survival on Tizai irrigation which was recently revamped but the latest developments in Tugwi River has left them with no clue of what to do next in order to make a living.

“Chivi is drought prone and over the years we have been saved by irrigation. This year we received limited rains and the river is drying up before we even started the winter irrigation. It we had dams the situation could have been different so we plead with the local authority to refurbish some of the dams that were destroyed by water,” said Soro.

Chivi Central MP Ephraim Gwanongodza confirmed the development and said he was looking for donors to assist in the refurbishment of dams that were destroyed by water a decade ago.

“We are aware of the situation and we are doing our level best to ensure that the situation is back to normal. We understand that villagers rely much on irrigation for a living because the area is often hit by drought. We have also introduced income-generating projects like pen fattening and poultry in order for villagers to have money for schools fees and other domestic use,” said Gwanongodza.