Farmers in Gokwe North ward 12 in Zimbabwe are calling for solution to water situation for both livestock and human beings in the area.
The farmers are seeking for the rehabilitation of the Chahonyosa dam, the only inland dam in the area. Currently the dam is running low due to being the only source of water for surrounding villages. Residents are hoping for an early onset of the rain season to subdue the challenges they are facing.
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Improvement of the dam according to the residents will enhance economic growth and improve food security. It is set to create employment in the agricultural sector after a switch to horticultural projects. The area has no profitable farming activity except for livestock following the collapse of cotton industry so drying of this dam poses a dangerous and a sorrowful scenario to farmers.
In a statement the councilor confirmed receipt of the complaints and said he is working with line ministries to find ways of increasing the dam’s storage volume.
“The application was submitted already and we have a backhoe(JCB) that was bought under the government’s devolution fund agenda and it is supposed to cover Gokwe North if own fuel is provided . As it stands the area does not have excavators except for private companies that charges huge amounts of money that are not afforded by the community” he said.
