12 April 2011
Mandlakazi — Agricultural production in the Chokwe irrigation scheme has still not reached the desired level, stated President Armando Guebuza at the end of his working visit to Gaza province, in the south of the country.
President Guebuza complained that the Chokwe irrigation scheme is not being properly exploited and is still not fulfilling its function within the government’s plans for food production.
The President was speaking on Monday at a press conference in the district of Mandlakazi after a rally held in the administrative post of Nguze.
The Chokwe irrigation scheme covers an area of 34,000 hectares. However, only 22,700 hectares are useable, of which a mere 7,000 hectares are actually being exploited.
Chokwe was once considered to be the breadbasket of the country, and the government has drawn up a programme to rehabilitate this “sleeping giant”.
Recently the Chairman of Hidraulica Agricola de Chokwe, Salomao Matsule, warned that if the irrigation scheme is not rehabilitated, agriculture in the region will suffer.
President Guebuza said that he had observed progress in various aspects including agricultural production and the infrastructure.
Over four days in Gaza province the President has visited the districts of Bilene, Mabalane, Massingir and Madlakazi.
On Tuesday he moves on to Inhambane province where he continues his “open and inclusive presidency” in the districts of Jangamo, Mabote, Homoine and Zavala. In these districts he is to hold rallies and business meetings with the local authorities, and will visit social and economic units.
Besides these four districts, President Guebuza will also visit the town of Vilankulo where he will head a ceremony to reopen the local airport following its expansion and modernisation.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Continued here:
Chokwe Irrigation Scheme Remains a Sleeping Giant