29 Feb 2016

The long awaited Lotsane Irrigation scheme and Mahibitswane grey water use project is taking off.

The two projects which are aimed at reducing high levels of food import and creating employment opportunities to eradicate poverty are carried out by Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Agricultural engineer (Irrigation) Mr Mokwadi Mapitse informed the ongoing Palapye sub-council meeting on Wednesday that the two projects came about following the Presidential Directive Cab 35 (b) 2006 that instructed that land around water sources including waste water resources be identified for irrigation.

Following this directive, Lotsane and Thune dams, Ditladi, Serowe, Tonota, Selibe Phikwe, Lobatse and Gaborone were earmarked for irrigation.

He said a 450 hectare agricultural plot has been identified and acquired and is to be developed for irrigation in the downstream of Lotsane dam in Maunatlala.

He said a private investor was invited to participate in the commercial agricultural production adding that the major investor Tsarona Irrigation farms has signed a lease that was delayed by agreement on water charges between Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) and MoA.

The investor, he said was expected to have mobilised camp to start construction by end of January.

Mr Mapitse further said one of the projects which need to be undertaken is the upgrading of the pipeline from the reservoir to the field to accommodate a much higher volume of water required at the project.

The project, he said is to be undertaken through the ESP fund at an estimated cost of P5m.

Touching on the Mahibitswane grey water use project, Mr Mapitse said the ministry of agriculture is planning on developing a smallholder waste water irrigation scheme in the Palapye sub-district.

The Ministry of Agriculture has acquired a long term lease on a 29 hectare plot for this purpose.

Treated waste water from WUC waste water treatment plant will be used for irrigation.

He said the project commenced in July 2014 and tendering for construction is expected to follow by March 2016 for a period of six weeks prior to construction.

The area has been fenced off and reticulation of portable water to the site is done and it is anticipated that electricity connection to the site be done as soon as the design is completed.

A number of forehand activities have also been carried out such as selection and training of beneficiaries, development of water users’ association guidelines and development of memorandum of agreement to be signed between various stakeholders and MoA.

Councilors gave the two projects a green light saying that they will improve the economy of Palapye. Ends