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Revive old irrigation schemes -academician
2008-03-02 09:57:17
By Darius Mukiza
Investing in old irrigation schemes is today more important than putting effort into new ones, experts say.
Speaking at Tanzania Nile Discourse Forum (TNDF) at the University of Dar es Salaam yesterday Dr Fanuel Shechambo of the Institute of Resource Assessment and the chairman of the forum said the government should develop the infrastructures of existing schemes which lacked government support.
``Schemes like lowa, Ndunga, Mombo, Kapunga and Madibila that were started years ago should first be revived.
These schemes yielded positive results during their operations. It will be a waste for the government to establish new irrigation schemes instead of reviving these,`` he said.
Revival of the irrigation schemes will promote irrigation practice in the country. ``New water pumps and trenches should be constructed in these existing schemes to make them operational`` he said.
Sudan and Egypt which have succeeded in promoting irrigation developed the old irrigation infrastructures, he said.
He stressed through irrigation these countries produce enough to feed themselves and surplus for export.
The forum was attended by university lecturers, members of political parties, mass media and other stakeholders.
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