Most of the irrigation equipment has been either vandalised or stolen during the Zanu (PF)-orchestrated land grab, where thousands of commercial farmers were violently evicted from their farms by party thugs.
Most farmers who spoke to The Zimbabwean said the government were reluctant to rectify the crisis in the region. Irrigation is vital as rainfall is low.
“The matter calls for government intervention,” one farmer said.
“But the authorities continue to fold their hands. The province is drought prone and relies on irrigation farming to boost food security.
“We are currently in need of food assistance and also call on the government to resuscitate irrigation schemes in the province.”
Another farmer said: “There used to be consistent and vibrant irrigation schemes in the province. The system used to guarantee adequate production and supplies to all local Grain Marketing Board depots with grain.
“But it is all now history. We cannot talk about food security if we do not have irrigation schemes.”
Other villagers applauded developmental programmes being carried out by non-governmental organisations in the region.
Thokozile Ngozo said: “We are most grateful to CARE International for the extensive work it has been doing here (Matabeleland South).”
CARE International has been rehabilitating Sukwe Irrigation Scheme which is currently operating with one pump.
Post published in: News