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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

ACUTE water shortages are threatening the viability of the 34-hectare citrus project at Khwalu Irrigation Scheme, some 120km west of Beitbridge town.

The project, which gets irrigation water from Umzingwane River is powered by eight irrigation pumps most of which are broken down.
However, with the help of the Government and its partners, the plot holders have started working on repairs to try and save the project.

Beitbridge District Agritex Officer, Mr Masauso Mawocha said so far they have managed to repair two pumps with the help from Beitbridge Juicing Plant.

He said authorities will continue to engage more stakeholders to improve on water supply at the scheme.
“We had water challenges at Khwalu Irrigation Scheme, but two pumps have been repaired to make them three. Five pumps still need to be attended to,” said Mr Mawocha.

“Citrus fruit trees were adversely affected by lack of irrigation, but 70 percent of the trees will definitely recover with 30 percent being a write off.

“Watering is now in progress, but there is a need for constant supply of electricity to power the centre pivots. We will continue to engage stakeholders to improve on water supply.”

He said the project has 34ha under citrus where 8 400 orange trees were planted by the 114 plots holders.
Mr Mawocha said the two pumps, which supply citrus trees were affected in the last rain season, in February while the other two, which also supply the citrus trees had the transformer and LT line cables stolen.

He said they will keep working with development players to ensure that the project remains operational. “We desire that Khwalu Irrigation Scheme operates at 100 percent capacity hence we will continue to engage partners to assist,” said Mr Mawocha.

Khwalu Irrigation Scheme, River Ranch, Jalukange, Bili and Ndambe 1irrigations schemes are among schemes, which were equipped with solar plants by the Government and its partners under the three-year Zimbabwe Resilience Programme.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded the initiative that was implemented through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Resettlement under the (Progress) consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Other members of the consortium include Cesvi, Matopos Research Centre and Biohub. In addition, the Progress consortium has been conducting several capacity-building programmes for the plot holders and agriculture extension workers.