New irrigation scheme to transform lives of flood-hit youths in Mtwara

Mtwara. Over 40 youths affected by flooding in Mtwara District Council’s four wards are expected to benefit from a vegetable garden irrigation scheme funded by the Japanese Embassy.

The scheme is expected to cost over $328,467 (about Sh854.01 million) and will be implemented over one year, bringing economic changes to those severely affected by the floods.

Launching the garden scheme, the Executive Director of the Youth Institute of the Sokoine University Graduate Entrepreneurs Cooperative (SUGECO) in Morogoro Region, Mr Rovecatus Kimario, said the project was being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Japanese Embassy, and the coordination of the institute.

Mr. Kimario stated that the project specifically was aimed at economically empowering the flood-affected communities, especially women and youths.

“This project will involve the establishment of modern infrastructure to support commercial vegetable production, including a reservoir capable of preserving seven million litres of water, irrigation equipment for three acres, and developing complete infrastructure in the areas of over 40 youths, both male and female,” he said.

“The reservoir will assist groups of youths and women in irrigating their gardens. Currently, there are three groups: one with 23 women, another with 13 men, and the third group includes a total of 20 people, both men and women,” he added.

Mtwara District Council chairman Selemani Nampanye said more than 400 households were affected by floods, destroying over 10,000 acres of land used for agriculture production.

“People are going to deploy irrigation in vegetable farming, where within three to four months, a farmer can harvest and sell produce such as tomatoes, okra, and many others,” he said.

A resident of Nachenjele Village in the district, Ms Fatuma Mwamini, expressed confidence that the scheme would change their lives since it would be expected to be run efficiently following the completion of the construction of a large reservoir capable of reserving seven million litres of water.

Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Col Patrick Sawala, said the scheme would benefit citizens and open up various opportunities, creating a conducive environment for youths to become self-employed.

“This is a great opportunity for you; so, you are challenged to actively engage in the scheme implementation with the residents of the area first, before involving visitors. This will improve the revenue of individual community members in the areas of the scheme,” he said.