Borehole, irrigation scheme drive transforms rural lives

Communities in Mashonaland Central are set for transformation following a partnership between Prevail International and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa), to bring water for household and irrigation use.
In Centenary, Muzarabani District, 46 boreholes have been drilled since April, with a target of 60 by August.
The public-private partnership has so far resulted in hundreds of families accessing clean water from solar-powered boreholes, and kick-starting community gardens that will boost nutrition and household incomes.
The project was hailed by President Mnangagwa this Saturday, while addressing his star rally.
Prevail International, the company drilling and installing the boreholes which will result in about 5000 households benefiting in Muzarabani District, says the unprecedented drive to ensure water security was aimed at supporting national vision by President Mnangagwa to bring water to over 35000 villages countrywide.
“Our drive is to support the vision of President Mnangagwa to bring water to the people and leave no one and no place behind,” Prevail International Chairman Paul Tungwarara told this publication.
The solar powered boreholes pump an impressive 2800 litres per hour, ensuring that community’s thirst is quenched, and also that villagers can farm produce for household food security and the market.
Each borehole powers a 1-ha garden with drip irrigation technology, benefiting about 80 households.
Since April, the transformative effect of the initiative has been felt here.
“We have managed to create employment for locals through these gardens, and they also supply the local market, ensuring they earn,” Tungwarara said.
The water scarcity that bedevilled these parts is becoming a thing of the past.
Tungwarara explained that some villagers previously used carts to get clean water from far away areas, but now source the resource within only a few hundreds metres.
This has led to massive buy-in from villagers who have welcomed the initiative.
“Villagers are happy and as you can see they even volunteer their labour and time to assist in whatever they can, including providing security to our sites,” he said
“There is community ownership.”
Villagers who spoke to this publication expressed gratitude at the development, pointing out to access to clean water, nutrition and earnings.