Feasibility Study of the Rehabilitation of Tuli-Lushonkwe Irrigation Scheme, Gwanda District in Matabeleland South Province

Abstract

The study sought to come up with a feasibility study and a new design for the rehabilitation of Tuli-Lushonkwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province so as to address the problem of nonperformance of the irrigation scheme. The irrigation scheme supported the farmers and community of Ward 9 in Gwanda South with food security, nutrition, household income and employment. A case study was carried out from October to November 2015 at Tuli-Lushonkwe in Gwanda South. The Department of Irrigation, a local Miner Mr. Mckonville, District AGRITEX Officer and the IMC representatives were interviewed. A socio economic survey was carried out using a questionnaire and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Soil, water and topographical surveys and assessments of the irrigation scheme infrastructure were carried out. The scheme was non-functional due to challenges such as energy costs of running a diesel powered generator that was used for pumping and cooperative farming. The underground pipe network was intact, whilst the power line grid had fallen down and some equipment in the pipeline had been vandalised. Horticultural crops such as peas, tomatoes, leafy vegetables were cultivated on two hectares but production ceased in 2014 due to viability challenges and the inability of the farmers to meet the pumping costs. The soils, water and land were suitable for drip irrigation. The study came up with a new design that increased the area under irrigation from 2 to 10 hectares, changed the production system from a cooperative to individual plots of 0.18 ha per farmer. Solar pumping was recommended for use so as to reduce energy costs. The proposed crops had a positive gross margin of $111 875.60 and a GM/TVC ratio of 1:36. The investments costs for the 10.4 hectare electric and solar powered drip irrigation were $89 543.50 and 84 603. 71and the energy costs were estimated at $5 912.50 and nil respectively. A financial and sensitivity analysis at 20% discount rate and 25% overruns were carried out for solar and electrical powered drip irrigation. The tables below show the results Financial Analysis Option NPV ($) IRR (%) B/C Ratio Solar pumping 232 362.11 38 3.44 Electric pumping 202 383.19 35 3.04 3 Sensitivity Analysis Option NPW ($) IRR (%) B/C Ratio Solar Pumping 160476.71 29 2.67 Electric Pumping 76777.58 21 2.13 The solar pumping option, with individual plots of 0.18 ha per household was recommended for implementation due to its positive NPV, IRR and B/Cost Ratio. Staff and farmer training have to be done in aspects of drip irrigation operation and maintenance, irrigation water management, fertility management and irrigation agronomy.