TATENDA CHIKARA IN CHIVI
A Member of Parliament and a philanthropist have chipped in with funds to complete the construction of Nyazhou dip tank project, in Chivi district, Masvingo Province, which had stalled due to lack of resources.
The legislator for Chivi Central constituency, Ephraim Gwanongodza and philanthropist, Exevia Maoneke, rescued villagers from Ward 12 and 16, who were travelling between 8 kilometres (km) to 13km to dip their cattle.
The project started off as a community project but could not be completed after resources ran out.
“We are very happy as villagers that our Nyazhou dip-tank is now ready. We started this project as a community but it had stalled because of lack of resources. We are grateful we got assistance from our Member of Parliament (Ephraim Gwanongodza) and Maoneke,” said a Mautsi villager in ward 12.
Another villager from Mautsi only known as Chikwava told Business Times: “As women we are happy with Nyazhou dip-tank. We walked distances of 10kms. You would not come back home and do your chores because we would be tired.”
Chivi was one of the districts in Masvingo which was most affected by January disease.
The district lost over 800 cattle, which succumbed to the disease.
“This dip-tank will assist a lot here. Some people had closed their kraals because of January disease, especially those in Mawarire village. We expect a total decline of cattle dying of the disease because of this dip-tank,” Pedzisai Dambukai , the secretary for Nyazhou dip-tank said.
The nearest dip-tanks were in Muchenami, Nyamakwe, Dewe.
Meanwhile, a local non governmental organisation the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) recently donated 750 chicken and 1500kgs of feed to farmers from wards 12 and 6 to enhance their food security.
The organisation’s development co-ordinator Kumbirai Chitambo said their aim was to encourage farmers to embark on small livestock farming projects that create a resilient income, food and security for their families.
“We encourage our farmers to keep chickens in those clubs of 15 and those clubs will assist our farmers to create club life. When these chickens grow, this will make them pass them on so that each farmer can benefit,” Chitambo said.
The organisation also educates farmers to grow vegetables, fruit trees and other agro based activities for food security.
