Government has revealed that under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, government through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) intends to drill and equip a total of 35000 boreholes by 2025.
Speaking during the launch of the programme in Gokwe North today, Minister of Lands ,Agriculture, Fisheries , Water and Rural Development Dr. Anxious Masuka said the initiative is meant to provide 35 000 boreholes in each of the 35 000 villages across the country.
“These solar powered boreholes will then open the way for the local communities to establish horticulture gardens , drip irrigation, growing high value crops , fisheries , piped water scheme together with washing slabs and cattle troughs.
“The Presidential Rural Development Programme is a complete package which will address food security, import substitution, poverty alleviation and eradication, access to safe and clean water by rural communities and employment creation,” he said.
He added that this year alone 5000 boreholes will be drilled nationally, two per ward and more than half of which shall have horticulture gardens established this year.
“A whole government approach will see ZINWA providing water infrastructure. The irrigation department will provide drip irrigation infrastructure and security fence, ARDA supported by Agritex will provide agronomy support ,AFC will provide seed financing for cash crops growing while AMA will provide marketing support,” he said.
Dr. Masuka added that ZINWA will drill a borehole in each ward for youth development.
