AUDREY MASHINGAIDZE
MIRROR REPORTER

CHIVI – Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr. Anxious Masuka toured Bwanya Irrigation Scheme in Chivi Ward 3 last Friday to assess progress made on the project.
He was accompanied by Masvingo Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira. Masuka said the thrust of his visit was to assure villagers that the scheme will be operational at the end of August.
The scheme was earmarked to be operational at the beginning of August but was delayed owing to equipment shortages.
“We could not meet the deadline but we assure everyone that this time it will be different considering there is equipment now. We saw that people were troubled by using hoes to cut out stumps and we provided a bulldozer which made work easier.
“When the water supply is fully functional, people will not complain about drought or that they are in the dry region five. They will grow crops to eat, sell and make money with so that they won’t suffer when it comes to basic nutrition,” he said
Chadzamira said that the idea of having irrigation schemes in dry lands is to Government’s effort to ensure that rural folks livelihoods are improved.
“This scheme is a good idea since it is for the benefit of the people who make us who we are. We are glad that it is taking shape and everything will be better when it starts working.
“The Government’s efforts are quite noticeable and we are grateful for such baby steps because even when one learns to walk it happens slow but surely,”he said