Grace Mugabe throws Binga folk lifeline

The First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe yesterday took over the supervision of Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme and ordered the immediate operationalisation of the project to uplift the livelihoods of the people of Binga.

The multi-million-dollar project, which should cover 16 000 hectares, was initiated in 2004, but had been failing to take off due to funding challenges.

The first phase of the project, needing about $2 million, will see about 250 hectares being cleared and thousands of people from the drought-prone area benefiting.

The irrigation scheme has already been allocated tractors, disc ploughs planters and pumping machines secured under Brazil's More Food for Africa programme.