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Writes Pylaia Chembe, UNDP Zimbabwe Communications Assistant
In Ward 18, Chivi district, Masvingo Province, a newly revitalized irrigation scheme is poised to transform the food security narrative of 300 families in its community. The 34-ha Bindamombe Irrigation Scheme has been climate-proofed through a partnership between the Green Climate Fund, the Government of Zimbabwe, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Each of the 300-member scheme’s 0.1ha plots is crucial to their food security, as well as providing income to send children to school and meet daily needs. The scheme’s chairperson, Mr. Obert Maoneke, expressed optimism that this development will make the community “unstoppable despite climate change,” ensuring no child drops out of school due to financial constraints, and no one goes to bed hungry.
The irrigation system was upgraded through leakage testing and repairs to the existing sprinkler system, as well as the installation of a 55kw solar system for pumps, backed up by national grid power for night irrigation. The scheme’s members have planted maize with government support, ensuring a cost-effective irrigation system that allows farmers to continue their activities even during power outages or when they cannot afford it.
The project also installed an efficient drag hose irrigation system, complete with tripod pipes, sprinklers, new hoses, and garden taps. This system draws water from the nearby Bindamombe dam, which is currently filled to 90% capacity despite the El Nino dry spell.
Mrs. Mary Zvapano expressed her joy with the new development which will warrant many women like her sleep without worrying about their daughters marrying off early because of hunger.
“For the first time, I am looking forward to selling my farm produce and taking care of my family. This has never been the case as this region faces a hot arid climate”, she said.
The scheme has approximately 1,500 direct beneficiaries, including household heads registered as members, making their dependents the primary beneficiaries of the plots. The scheme also includes 57 youth-headed households and elderly female representatives.
Visiting the scheme, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Margret Verwijk, encouraged the members to work hard, aiming to export their produce to other countries in the future.
The Irrigation Management Committee, subcommittees, and scheme members received training courses to enable them to assume full stewardship of the scheme even after the project ends. This includes financial management training that led to the formation of six Village Savings and Lending (VS&L) groups. These groups will help increase income and resilience to climate change, making rural households bankable and providing access to low-cost sustainable credit.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr Ayodele Odusola praised the scheme’s organization, noting that each committee member is fully aware of their duties and everyone is committed to ending hunger in their community.
The project is part of a larger effort to address rural poverty through food production and agricultural commodities. In total, it is revitalizing and climate-proofing 21 irrigation schemes across Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South Provinces.