Derick Tsimba

The District Development Fund (DDF) has rehabilitated close to 386 hectares of irrigation schemes in Chimanimani West after they were seriously damaged by Cyclone Idai, said the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting.

The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting said this on its twitter handle that DDF had rehabilitated several structures servicing six irrigation schemes in Cashel Valley adding up to about 386 hectares occupied by close to 381 farmers.

“DDF has rehabilitated several structures that service six irrigation schemes in Cashel Valley that were damaged by Cyclone Idai. The schemes occupy 386 hectares of land with 381 families farming tomatoes, peas, sugar beans, maize, wheat and potatoes,” said the Ministry of Information.

Cyclone Idai struck after DDF had already completed rehabilitating 11 night storage dams after being tasked to rehabilitate the Cashel Valley Irrigation Schemes in 2018 by the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme.

“Cyclone Idai struck after DDF had completed rehabilitating 11 night storage dams, five new weirs and opening sections of canals for farming. The schemes were operating at 30% capacity.

“In 2018 DDF was tasked with rehabilitating the Cashel Valley Irrigation Schemes under the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme. Work included de-silting 23 reservoirs, 24km breached irrigation canals among other structures,” said the Ministry of Information.