Climate change has caused a lot of environmental changes and amongst them is the drying up of wetlands which has led to acute food insecurity in some parts of Lupane District which heavily rely upon agricultural produce for food security.
A farmer at Zinapi Irrigation Scheme in Tshongokwe ward, Nomazulu Mnguni bemoaned the drying up of the Zinapi stream whose source is a wetland, saying the development has had ramifications on farming in the area as the reservoir that used to supply water for irrigation can no longer hold water long enough, thereby forcing the community to only engage in seasonal cropping as opposed to perennial cropping which they had been accustomed to in years gone by.
“Some years back we used to plant crops right accross the year, but since the drying up of the swamp that used to suppy water to Zinapi Dam, it has become so difficult for us and we now have to be content with planting only during the rainy season after which we go into a forced sabbatical. We are now getting used to foregoing winter cropping because of the persisting water challenges,” lamented Mnguni.
Mr Felix Ndlovu of Shabula Village explained how the drying up of the Shabula River has subsequently led to the drying up of Shabula Dam which was critical for the provision of water for livestock drinking, among other uses.
“We now have to travel a long distance to get water for our livestock since the dam has dried up and the local boreholes produce too little water to cater for all our needs. Since the boreholes are overwhelmed by domestic consumption,the cattle have to be driven and moved to distant places in order to find water for them,” said Ndlovu.
A retired veterinary official who requestedd anonymity said that, due to in adquate water, the district has seen an alarming number of cattle succumbing to the drought in the past two years and this, he said, has contributed to food shortages due to a dearth of draught power in the absence of livestock. He also attributed the drying up of wetlands to climate change which has resulted in erratic rains and prolonged droughts, leading to high temperatures.
The Kusile Rural District Council Environment Committee Chairperson, Councilor Betty Moyo said the the local authority is seized by the matter and is particularly worried by the drying up of wetlands which has plunged the district into food insecurity.
“We are so worried as KRDC by the drying up of wetlands, particularly Shabula, Zinapi and Tshongokwe. These were our key water sources for irrigation schemes which were contributing much to our food security,” said Clr Sibanda.
Lupane East Member of National Assembly Hon. Mbongeni Dube said Parliament should come up with policies that will adress climate change so as to mitigate and replenish the drying wetlands.
The Zinapi ,Shabula and Tshongokwe wetlands have been the major sources of water for irrigation schemes that were central to producing food throughout the year. These developments have been harsh on the district and have necessitated the intervention of relief organizations but a lot still needs to be done to cushion the public from droughts.
Source: Community Podium
