The 20 hectare irrigation scheme, which was constructed by a grant from the government of Japan in 1997, is facing a number of challenges, most importantly related to water pumps.
When the scheme was commissioned, it had nine working water pumps but only two are currently in operation.
A local villager, who identified himself as Saunyama, said there was a need for the government to re-engage the G8 countries.
“We sourced some donors to help us repair the pumps but we were told that only Japan or the government of Zimbabwe has the right to maintain the equipment at the irrigation scheme. We are stuck and our yields have dropped because we have to share the little water that we are pumping from Gaerezi River,” said Saunyama.
Villagers demanded a clear explanation from the government as to why it was failing to abide by the agreement to maintain machinery.
An official from Ministry of Agriculture, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to talk to the media, said a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the two countries when the scheme was commissioned states that no third party shall carry out maintenance of the equipment.
“I can confirm that the strained relationship between Japan and Zimbabwe has impacted development at the irrigation scheme. Only two pumps are working and seven are down. The MoU states that Japan or Zimbabwe shall maintain the equipment. As the situation stands, our government is broke and does not have the capacity to repair the equipment,” said the official.
He said Japanese officials once visited the scheme and promised that they would do something to rescue the project. The official also said the European Union had also expressed interest in assisting the villagers but said their hands were tied by the MoU.
“The EU officials once carried out the assessment with the intention of assisting but it seems they could not go further because of the MoU,”said the official.
Officials from the Department of Irrigation said the pumps were destroyed by floods in 2003 and could not give the actual cost of the repairs.
The relationship between Zimbabwe and Japan turned sour after the latter accused the former of human rights abuse and rigging elections in 2008.
Post published in: News