Shurugwi North Member of Parliament Joseph Mpasi will embark on a constituency-wide desilting programme targeting five dams as part of a broader push to revive irrigation schemes and strengthen food security in the face of climate change.
Mpasi said the initiative was aimed at restoring the water-holding capacity of key dams in his constituency, which have been affected by siltation over the years, reducing their effectiveness for irrigation and community use.
The legislator said while Shurugwi has received good rainfall this season with prospects of a bumper harvest, relying solely on rain-fed agriculture was no longer sustainable.
“Although we have received good rains and we are optimistic about a good harvest this year, we cannot continue to depend only on rainfall,” Mpasi said.
“We must revive our irrigation schemes so that our communities can produce food throughout the year.”
He said the five targeted dams would play a critical role in supporting smallholder farmers once desilting is completed.
Mpasi added that he would be working closely with various government departments to establish village business units at ward level, which will be empowered to drive local agricultural production and value addition.
“We are going to work with relevant government departments to come up with village business units in each ward,” he said.
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“These units will be supported and empowered so that communities can benefit directly from these water resources.”
The MP also underscored the urgency of climate action, saying climate change was already having visible impacts on local ecosystems and livelihoods.
“Climate change is real. We are seeing its effects in our rivers, our soils, and our farming patterns,” Mpasi said.
“As leaders, we must come up with strategies that help our people adapt and thrive despite these changes.”
The MP expressed concern over the degradation of river ecosystems due to mining, farming, and deforestation, calling for more sustainable use of natural resources.
“Our river systems have been heavily affected by mining activities, poor farming practices, and deforestation,” he said.
“We must promote sustainable use of our resources so that future generations can also benefit.”
Mpasi said he was also engaging local miners, encouraging them to adopt environmentally responsible practices and comply with national regulations.
“We are encouraging miners in Shurugwi to practice sustainable mining and ensure full compliance with environmental laws.
“Development should not come at the expense of our environment,” he added.
He stressed that the desilting programme would be implemented through established government structures to ensure transparency, accountability, and coordination.
“This desilting programme will be carried out through the relevant government systems and departments to make sure it is properly managed and benefits our people,” Mpasi said.
The initiative is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with local communities set to be involved in the implementation process.
