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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is working to replace all the leaking pipes at the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga. The irrigation scheme, which was initiated in 2004, had challenges taking off due to funding constraints until the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe, came to its rescue last year.

The First Lady sourced farming equipment comprising tractors, knapsack sprays, water pumping units and disc ploughs, among others.

Last month, the First Lady told thousands of people at the Presidential Interface rally held in Lupane that she had identified partners to work at the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme, which is set to produce seed maize and grain for the whole country.

She promised to visit the project, which draws water from Zambezi River, a few kilometres away, later this month.

The Scheme chairperson, Mrs Veronica Munkuli, yesterday said while planting was done successfully on 100 hectares of land, the project was being threatened by erratic water supplies due to leaking pipes.

She said work is in progress to clear more land to increase to 400 hectares, adding that the maize crop that was planted last month is doing well.

“The problem has been pipe leaks due to constant bursts hence we are having water challenges. Officials from the irrigation department were here yesterday (Tuesday) to assess the situation and we have been told that plans are underway to replace the old pipes to solve this problem. We hope something happens as a matter of urgency so that the project is not affected,” said Mrs Munkuli.

Binga District Agritex officer Mr Pedius Ndlovu said the germination rate of the maize plant is above 80 percent.

Bulawayo Kraal is viewed as the panacea to food and employment challenges in Binga district and beyond as it is one of Government’s capital projects under ZimAsset. — @ncubeleon