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Matezva irrigation project to alleviate hunger

Countries
Zimbabwe
Sources
The Zimbabwean
Publication date
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A 10-hectare Chiwara community scheme at Matezva looks set to transform the lives of 400 families in this drought-prone area, 65 km north east of Masvingo. The project will be commissioned before December, officials said.

William Goza, the provincial irrigation engineer for Masvingo, said water delivery canals had been completed as part of the first phase, adding “Phase B, a further clearing of 25 hectares, will be done next year.”

The Matezva irrigation scheme brings to 57 the number of similar projects throughout Masvingo where 3,543 hectares have been identified for similar developments meant to benefit 6, 300 families.

However, some of the province’s irrigation schemes have performed negatively due to siltation and pump breakdowns, including one at Mushandike. Despite the existence of the Mushandike Dam as a water supply source, the irrigation scheme failed to live up to expectations because of siltation within the dam’s catchment area.

“Our main role as a department is to design, construct and bring the water to the people,” said Goza.