The revitalisation of the Mutema Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge is gathering pace, with Government reaffirming irrigation development as a pillar of food security in drought-prone regions.
Through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), authorities have begun extensive works to resuscitate the once-thriving scheme, which has remained idle for more than two decades. The project is expected to benefit close to 400 households once fully operational.
Local leadership in the Mutema-Musikavanhu constituency says the project goes beyond basic repairs, aiming to modernise the entire irrigation system to withstand climate shocks.
Deputy Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Angeline Gata, said: “Mutema was once the envy of the province, a vibrant economic hub where every household was productive and markets were always full. Its decline into an eyesore of broken pipes and dry canals weighed heavily on the community. This revitalisation, which Government is implementing in phases, will not only bring immediate relief but also restore the pride and dignity of our people.”
Early phases of the rehabilitation include restoring water conveyance canals, installing modern pumping equipment, and clearing fields that had long been overtaken by weeds. For many farmers, the revival represents a long-awaited turnaround after years of depending on unreliable rainfall.
“We have waited years for this moment. With a reliable water supply, we can finally stop relying solely on the rains and start treating our farms like the businesses they are meant to be,” said one farmer.
Another community member reflected on the scheme’s glory days.
“This place used to be the heartbeat of Chipinge, trucks would line up to carry our produce across the country. Watching it crumble into a weed-choked eyesore was painful. Seeing the machines back on the land feels like we are reclaiming our dignity,” the member explained.
Residents say the rehabilitation is breathing life back into the local economy, reversing years of stagnation. One villager noted that the area had shifted from being a vibrant agricultural hub to a neglected patch, adding that Government’s intervention is finally restoring hope and productivity.
Authorities emphasise that irrigation infrastructure has become increasingly essential as climate change intensifies, positioning schemes like Mutema at the centre of efforts to safeguard food production and strengthen rural livelihoods.
