ZINWA Rations Water For Low Veld Farmers
4 September 2016
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) says rationing of water to farmers in the lowveld is necessary in preserving levels in Lake Mutirikwi, which is less than 20 percent full.
Decreasing water levels have forced the reduction of water being pumped to the lowveld from 10 cubic meters to five cubic meters per second to save the precious commodity.
some farmers have worsened the water problem as they are illegally drawing water from irrigation canals.
ZINWA Operations Manager – Runde Catchment, Engineer Jonathan Juma, said ZINWA is engaging farmers to ensure they access the commodity in a regulated manner.
Engineer Juma said water will not be released to the sugar estates if levels drop to the four percent mark which is expected to be reached around June next year.
While there has been a huge reliance on Lake Mutirikwi for irrigation, finalisation of what will be the largest inland dam in Zimbabwe, Tokwe Mukosi is expected to increase water availability to sugarcane farmers in the lowveld. zbc
ZINWA Operations Manager – Runde Catchment, Engineer Jonathan Juma, said ZINWA is engaging farmers to ensure they access the commodity in a regulated manner.
Engineer Juma said water will not be released to the sugar estates if levels drop to the four percent mark which is expected to be reached around June next year.
While there has been a huge reliance on Lake Mutirikwi for irrigation, finalisation of what will be the largest inland dam in Zimbabwe, Tokwe Mukosi is expected to increase water availability to sugarcane farmers in the lowveld. zbc