THE First Lady, Grace Mugabe, had been scheduled to be in Binga yesterday. But preparations for her lavish birthday bash were a bigger pull. She sent a delegation instead led by Stein Berejena who is a director in her office and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cain Mathema to meet traditional leaders from Binga district and inform them that she was taking over resuscitation of Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga.
She assured the people of Binga of her commitment to spearhead the operationalisation of the scheme as a matter of urgency. Most of the equipment, that include tractors and three disc ploughs is already on site.
Briefing hundreds of people who included traditional leaders and heads of government departments at the Binga Rural District Council offices in the morning, Mathema said Mugabe had assured them that the first crops will be planted next month.
“We’re here with Berejena on behalf of the First Lady who sent us to brief chiefs that we’re now starting work on the 250-hectare scheme and by end of August we want to see the first crop planted.
“She will now be spearheading the project and she will come here on a date to be decided. The First lady has said she is concerned by delays in implementing this project and she wants results,” said Mathema.
The multimillion-dollar irrigation project has since 2004 been failing to take off due to funding challenges. The government has identified the scheme as key to the fulfilment of some of the objectives of its economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.
Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme is expected to boost food production in Binga.
Mugabe decided to spearhead the project which should cover 15,000 hectares of land, with 250 hectares earmarked for the first phase.
From Binga town, Mathema and Berejena led the team to the site of the irrigation scheme to view implements that have been delivered.
The implements, which include five tractors, three disc ploughs, two rom discs, three planters, three fertiliser spreaders, 75 knapsack sprayer, eight pumps and four pivots, were sourced through the Brazilian input scheme which was launched by President Mugabe a few months ago.
Mathema said three other irrigation schemes in Binga namely Mlibizi, Lungwalala and Nabusenga will receive similar implements under the same facility.
In an interview, Berejena said Mugabe was concerned that Bulawayo Kraal, which requires about $1,8 million for the first phase of irrigating 250 hectares, has faced numerous challenges in the past.
“The First Lady’s target is to have 250 hectares planted