Government has released funding for the rehabilitation of Makonese Dam, a year after heavy rains damaged the facility and disrupted irrigation activities, that supported hundreds of households.
The dam, located in the Denge area of Chivi North, previously irrigated more than 200 hectares of land and sustained about 720 households.
Its destruction brought local irrigation schemes to a halt and adversely affected food production in the drought-prone district.
The rehabilitation programme aims to restore the dam’s full irrigation capacity while establishing 38 village business units (VBU) to expand community participation and strengthen rural economic resilience.
Chivi North legislator, Godfrey Mukungunugwa, said rehabilitating the dam and establishing the 38 VBUs would significantly uplift the area, which has been long affected by dry conditions.
“Our President, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, is proving to be a listening leader committed to rural development,” he said.
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“Just a year after the disaster, work to restore the dam has started, and the new VBU will greatly improve the fortunes of this dry area.”
The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) confirmed that assessments conducted after the dam’s destruction showed its vital role in irrigating over 200 hectares and sustaining 720 households.
Rida director, Sitshengiso Zivhare, noted that after the destruction of Makonese Dam, they conducted an assessment and committed to its rehabilitation.
“Besides restoring the dam, we will also establish VBUs. We have contracted Traversal Trading to carry out the work, and progress is already visible,” Zivhare said.
Villagers have also welcomed the development, describing the dam as central to both food security and income generation.
“This dam has been very important to this community, sustaining many families,” said one villager.
“When it was destroyed, we were shot in the foot.
“We are happy that the government has prioritised its rehabilitation, as our irrigation schemes will now be revived.”
Another community member, Irene Ushe, said the establishment of VBUs will allow families, who were not previously part of irrigation schemes, to benefit thereby promoting inclusive development and creating employment opportunities.
Traversal Trading executive administrator, Esnath Mucheni, confirmed that work is underway.
“Our teams are on the ground, and we have already drilled boreholes as part of the rehabilitation process. We expect completion within the next eight to twelve months,” she said.
The full rehabilitation programme is set to be completed within two years.