Agriculture deputy minister commissions Guyu and Sebasa irrigation schemes

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water  and Rural Development, Hon. Vangelis Haritatos commissioned two completed irrigation schemes in Matabeleland South Province. Guyu and Sebasa Irrigation are among the nine irrigation schemes completed by the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP).

Sebasa Irrigation measuring 62 hectares has 112 beneficiaries while the 84 hectare Guyu irrigation scheme has 160 beneficiaries. The scope of works as Sebasa included the drilling of eight boreholes on the Thuli River, installation of a submersible pump, installation of a solar system to power the pump, rehabilitation of a damaged barrage, repair of the infield drainage system.

In Guyu the scope of works included the expansion of the scheme 32 hectares to 84 hectares, repair of the night storage dam,  installation of conveyance pipes,drilling of six boreholes on the Thuli River as well as the erection of a 4.2km boundary fence.

Farmers at the scheme have already begun to reap benefits  from the scheme rehabilitation. Scheme secretary, Allbert Sibanda said the beneficiaries were now more food secure than before and were no longer dependent on their relatives based in South Africa for survival. Farmers at the scheme also employ fellow villagers whom they employ during labour-intensive periods such as planting, weeding and harvesting. “The scheme has brought new hope to the villagers”, said  Mr Sibanda.