Farming at Silalatshani irrigation scheme located in Insiza district, Matabeleland South has been suspended because of water challenges.
There are over 800 farmers with at least two hectares each on which they produce maize, beans and other crops at the irrigation scheme.
One of the farmers, Vusumuzi Moyo, confirmed the water crisis.
"We get water supplies from the Insiza River through a canal, but the river is drying up,” Moyo said.
“We were supposed to start maize crop production on August 15 but we suspended it due to the water crisis.”
Insiza Rural district chief executive officer, Shepherd Tshuma, said the irrigation scheme has been facing perennial water challenges.
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Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Evelyn Ndlovu, blamed the water crises on the drought.
“We are aware that because of the El Nino drought the river has dried up,” she said.
“They must reduce their production in order to save crops that have already been planted.”