The centre pivot at Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme
Trymore Tagwirei
The Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme has brought new hope to many beneficiary villagers in Mwenezi district under Chief Mawarire.
Work on the 300-hectare irrigation scheme was completed in 2020 under the Green Climate Fund (GCF)’s Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe.
Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Scheme Chairperson Chizivano Shava said the project had transformed the lives of the 300 beneficiaries and many others in the drought-prone district.
“Our forefathers began advocating for this project long ago and we are grateful to the funding partners and others who worked to make this a success. We are now business people and this has significantly changed the lives of the people,” said Shava.
The irrigation scheme produces mainly green mealies and sugar beans for sale at places including Rutenda Growth Point.
Shava, however, appealed to government for additional support, particularly fencing and tractors.
“Part of the irrigation scheme requires fencing to improve security. We also need tractors so that we can do the work more efficiently. Currently we use cattle-drawn ploughs and that is a setback,” he said.
During his tour at the irrigation scheme recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Prof. Obert Jiri urged beneficiaries to regard the scheme as a business which should be operated efficiently.
“We urge you to operate this project as a business unit and formally register it as a company. This is a landmark development for our communities, and we are grateful to every partner involved,” he said.
The Building Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe covers civil works and infrastructure development for irrigation scheme, providing U$48 million for projects in Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South provinces.
At Pikinini-Jawanda a total of US$1.1 million investment was made, covering feasibility and design studies, the installation of 9km of power lines and transformers for grid connection, and numerous other technical components.
Water abstraction infrastructure including a pontoon was installed at Manyuchi Dam, with over 5km of trenching and piping being made to support a centre pivot and sprinklers.
