By Angela Kabamba
Water is important for the survival of all living things. All plants require water for survival as it is an essential element that must be available for their growth and development.
It is for this reason that the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agro- Ecological Regions 1 and 2 in Zambia, (SCRALA) project is earmarked to establish three irrigation sites in Senanga district of Western Province.
Acting Senior Agricultural Officer for Senanga district Laila Gondwe said 10 boreholes have been drilled in three agricultural camps. Kakenge has four, Lukanda two, and four have been drilled in Sabelo area of Ngundi agricultural camp.
Ms. Gondwe said the irrigation schemes will benefit about 35 households in each camp and that once operational, farmers will utilize them for the intended purpose to curb the effects of climate change.
She stated that the topographical survey has been done in Sabelo and Kakenge camps and the next step will be mapping of sites.
Ms. Gondwe noted that when farmers have irrigation schemes, it helps them grow crops even when there are no rains, increases production and productivity, as well as food security at household level.
Meanwhile, 72 households with 266 beneficiaries of Sioma district in Western Province have not yet benefited from the Malombe Irrigation Scheme funded by SCRALA project.
Ministry of Agriculture Sioma district Technical Officer Winter Samboko said the irrigation scheme which has been funded by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) under the SCRALA project, sits on 65.8 hectares, of which the first component is 27 hectares for the K1.8 million center pivot which has already been set on the scheme, while the other two will be installed on the remaining hectares.
Mr. Samboko said this when a team of agricultural officers from Senanga district undertook an exposure visit to the district to learn about the types of irrigation systems being used in the district.
One irrigation site is under drip irrigation, a type of localized irrigation in which the drops of water are delivered at or near the root of crops and was sponsored by the Pilot Project for Climate Resilience (PPCR) while the Malombe irrigation scheme features the center pivot which distributes water by a system of sprinklers that are attached to wheeled towers that move in a circular pattern and was funded by the SCRALA project.
“The center pivot is almost done as the transformer has already been installed. Trenches for the pipelines from the river are also in place and there is a possibility that everything will be done within a month and commissioned,” he explained.
He said the objective of installing the center pivot was to enable Sioma farmers to grow cash crops throughout the year.
And Malombe irrigation scheme chairperson Ross Masiye said the scheme will be run by Imikaya Cooperative and is targeting to cultivate cash crops such as onions, potatoes, butter nuts and many others in order to generate more income and sustain the project. -NAIS
