Story by Providence Maraneli
THE revitalisation and expansion of the Midlo Irrigation Scheme in Matobo District has brought renewed life to the Kezi community which previously depended on unreliable conventional rainfall.
Once characterised by persistent dry conditions, the area is now home to a centre pivot system, newly constructed irrigation canals, a large solar-powered plant and flourishing maize crops.
The developments at the Midlo Irrigation Scheme have rekindled hope among villagers who had long abandoned agriculture due to recurrent droughts.
This is the thrust that has been adopted by government and its development partners to climate-proof agriculture through irrigation development.
For the youthful Blessed Sibanda, the transformation of their scheme from just being a garden to a thriving initiative has not only changed their lives for the better but has set the community on a developmental pathway.
“Now this is our second year, and there is a future. We had given up on conventional rains, but now we are getting money to send our children to school and change our lives. We used to just work in silos, but now, as a cooperative, we are dreaming big,” he said.
“We are excited, we are now able to do everything we can. The centre pivot came in handy; we used to come with siphons, and it was difficult. Our crops are thriving because we now have everything,” a beneficiary said.
“We had a good winter wheat crop, and now we have maize, and we thank the government for revitalising the scheme,” another farmer added.
The installation of a modern irrigation system at this scheme has not only climate-proofed the community’s source of livelihoods but has set the once dry area on a transformation journey.
“I am so excited to be witnessing this massive transformation. It used to be difficult for these farmers, but now the coming in of modern equipment has made their lives easier. Now they just come to monitor the pivot, and they are operating as a business entity. The future is bright. Through the Green Climate Fund, the government has revitalised Midlo, Masholomoshe and Mzinyathini irrigations with the aim to increase the irrigation hectarage in Matabeleland South province,” Extension officer, Ms Phumuzile Ncube said.
“The main thrust of having these irrigation schemes revitalised is because we, as a province, are prone to droughts, and the number of areas under irrigation has increased. Previously, we had a target of around 12 000, we have expanded in this area so that our crops are climate-proofed, and we also have food security at the household level. So we really appreciate partners coming to Matabeleland South Province to expand irrigation. This is what the second republic is all about, transforming livelihoods,” Provincial Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mrs Shupikai Sibanda said.
Midlo irrigation scheme joins a long list of schemes that have been revitalised and expanded by government and its development partners in Matabeleland South Province, which include Sebasa, Makwe, Sebasa, Bambanani, Silalabuhwa, Guyu and Chikwalakwala.
