Mozambique: A glance at a (now) vandalised irrigation system in Mopeia, Zambézia – report

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Mozambique: A glance at a (now) vandalised irrigation system in Mopeia, Zambézia – report

3:27 CAT | 05 Jan 2021

Photo: O País

The irrigation system in the district of Mopeia belongs to the São Francisco de Assis association, which brings together more than 100 rice producers. The irrigation system was built in early 2008 and its management entrusted to Olam, a company which arrived in the district with the latest technology.

The infrastructure cost US$3 million which came from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Mozambique. It was intended to irrigate 1,000 hectares of land and ensure the production of rice, a flagship crop in Mopeia.

The district has potential in terms of rice production, but lacked irrigation infrastructure. Even so, it proved impossible to guarantee the maintenance of the water pumping station, which extracted water from the Zambezi River to irrigate 1,000 hectares.

The Olam production period was a success, the authorities in Mopeia say. With the system fully operational, that company intended to reach annual production of close to 20,000 tons of rice. The company produced a lot of rice in the 1,000 hectares, when it was still irrigable.

After its concession ended, Olam handed over the management of the irrigation system to the owner, the Associação São Francisco de Assis, director of District Services for Economic Activities in Mopeia Gilton José says.

In the hands of the association, maintenance proved impossible to sustain. On the ground, the situation appears one of total abandonment. The infrastructure is comprehensively damaged, and the pumping station vandalised, with electrical components vital to the functioning of the irrigation system stolen.

Recently, the São Francisco de Assis Association publicly demanded intervention. The district government says it expects to rehabilitate the infrastructure, but without putting forward concrete dates.

Mopeia has four irrigated areas, which reputedly require investment totalling around US$300 million.

By Jorge Marcos

Source: O País