The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa and Freedom Mutanda
A total of 435 households from Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge have recorded a bumper maize harvest after getting irrigation plots at the camp.
Of the 435 households, 10 percent of the beneficiaries are from the host community.
The programme, which was bankrolled by the Canadian government, is expected to increase the hectarage of the irrigation plots from 50 hectares to 150ha this year.
Speaking during a maize field day on Wednesday at Tongogara Refugee Camp, camp administrator, Mr Johane Mhlanga said the allocation of irrigation plots to refugees and the host community is ensuring food security to the community.
He said the programme dovetails well with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“We are happy to be a refugee camp with a difference. The allocation of irrigation plots at Tongogara Refugee Camp is a game changer to the local community which used to record poor yields due to the high temperatures prevalent here.
“The project will be extended from 50ha to 150ha this year. Currently, the beneficiaries were allocated 100 square meter pieces of land and we are targeting 0.25 hectare per household to match the FAO recommendations,” said Mr Mhlanga.
“The best maize grower, Mrs Lizzy Mutyambizi, was over the moon.
“As a lady, I feel honoured to be the best maize grower. It was out of diligence that I achieved this milestone,” she said.
Mr Chamunorwa Salani, the deputy District Development Coordinator for Chipinge, appreciated the work being done by the host community and the refugees.
“I should express my appreciation to the work being done here by the refugees and the host community. It is good to be educating the people to be producers and not consumers only. We must not be dependants forever,” he said.
Mr John Mwandifura, representing Agritex, said what the farmers are doing at the scheme is a clear demonstration of how President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 can be realised.
“I was excited that Mrs Mutyambizi’s field was weeds free; other fields had a lot of weeds. This is in pursuance of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which is a Government policy,” he said.
Mr Amadou Sabi, the head of office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), said the programme is in line with Government’s thrust of not leaving anyone behind.
