The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
THE good rains recorded in most parts of Manicaland have pushed up the volume of water in the province’s major dams, with the water bodies inching towards full capacity, thereby boosting food and water security.
Given the crucial role of dam water in agriculture and urban water security, prospects of a food secure year are high as the province is enjoying a steady mixture of precipitation and sunshine.
The season’s rains were evenly distributed across Manicaland, except in the few low lying areas, thereby boosting the crops and pastures, as well as increasing water inflows into major dams.
Osborne Dam, largest water reservoir in the province, is now at 92.1. The dam last attained the 90 to 100 percent mark in 2014, thereby making its current level a huge milestone.
Rusape, Ruti, Small Bridge and Muchekeramwa Dams are already spilling, while Marovanyati Dam in Buhera is 84.5 percent full.
With such volumes of water, there is plenty of room to irrigate wheat, sugarcane and vegetables.
lrrigation is a key to managing the risks associated with unpredictable rainfall patterns, thereby eliminating food security challenges.
However, some of Manicaland’s irrigation schemes have been neglected and Government has already embarked on a mission to resuscitate them.
Construction of dams and establishment of irrigation schemes is one of the major milestones under the New Dispensation, in line with the desire to attain food security.
This augurs well with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s plans to fast track the rehabilitation of irrigation schemes.
According to the master plan, at least 420 000 hectares of the land in Manicaland are supposed to be under irrigation, with 100 000ha in the Lowveld, which is saddled with sporadic rains.
This is why Government is spending billions of dollars in rehabilitating and expanding the irrigation schemes that draw water from the large dams.
For instance, the US$5 million Roomsely Irrigation Scheme in Makoni South which is on the cards will draw water downstream of Muchekeramwa and Rusape Dams.
Apart from the existing dams, Manicaland has several potential dam sites, including the Kondo Dam, which has been mapped along Save River in Chipinge.
This dam will bring great relief to the people of Chipinge.
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) spokesperson, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga told The Manica Post that the Save Catchment dams level average has risen to 87 percent.
“Water levels in major dams continue to rise on the backdrop of the rainfall activity being experienced in various parts of the country. As of February 15, the national dams level average had risen to 89 percent, with a number of dams now full and spilling.
“Dams that are now full and spilling include Rusape, Muchekeranwa, Wenimbi, Matezva and Small Bridge. Communities living downstream of these dams have been placed on high alert and are advised not to attempt to cross flooded rivers,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga said regardless of the rising water levels in the dams, ZINWA continues to appeal to all water users to use the water sparingly.
“Those intending to use water from ZINWA managed dams during the impending winter cropping season are advised to ensure that they get water abstraction agreements as required by the law,” said Mrs Munyonga.
Mrs Munyonga said more than half of the country’s towns, cities and rural service centres are now water secure, with the dams supplying them with raw water now satisfying the 21-month rule.
“As at February 9, the dams could supply towns, cities, growth points and rural service centres for a period of at least 21 months, even in the absence of further inflows. The situation is expected to improve as more rains are still being received.
“In fact, they are holding water that is capable of lasting at least 30 months at the current demand.
“Other towns whose water supply dams now satisfy the 21-month rule but is not capable of lasting 30 months are Gweru (25.6 months), Rushinga (26.5 months), Shurugwi (21.3 months) and Kwekwe (22.3 months),” she said.
Ares that remain water insecure with less than 12 months supply in their raw water sources include Mt Darwin, Bulawayo and Mutoko.
Manicaland has 265 000 hectares under maize and 100 000ha under traditional grains.
The bulk of these crops are thriving, with more than 60 percent having already escaped the brutal wrath of drought damage.
With the bulk of the crop planted under the Pfumvudza Programme, Government is being applauded for supporting more than 450 000 households in the province to revive agriculture and enhance their economic, nutrition and food security.
The outlook is positive for the province’s main crops, including maize, tobacco, soya bean, cotton, sunflower, groundnuts, sugar bean, sorghum and other traditional grains.
Each small-holder farmer is expected to harvest at least a tonne per hectare, thereby making the provincial target of 250 000 metric tonnes attainable.
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