Water harvesting innovation brings barren land to life

Handsome Fundu (45) from Mhototi ward 16 constructed an underground water harvesting system that allows him to control the amount of water he harvests underground. Handsome works with PELUM Zimbabwe Member, Muonde Trust in Zvishavane district, south central Zimbabwe. Photo: Collins Chirinda/PELUM Zimbabwe

Boas Mawara (75), is a smallholder farmer who has been practicing intensive farming on his 3-acre plot in Murowa ward, Zvishavane district. Boas has transformed a once unproductive farmland into a productive one through a unique, ingenious and innovative water harvesting system.

Boas says he started water harvesting experiments on his farm back in 1987 when his community was experiencing poor rainfall patterns. He constructed clay pipes to disperse water using an underground system. This way, Boas could water his crops during the dry season.

“The clay pipes transport water underground. Their porous nature allow water to seep out and replenish underground water while providing moisture to crops during the dry season,” he explains.

Boas says his innovation has received recognition and international attention. “My community is also benefitting. There are 15 farmers from my community who have adopted this innovation,” he adds.

Handsome Funde (45) is one such farmer who is breaking new ground through adopting Boas’ innovation and combining this with water harvesting techniques pioneered by Zephania Phiri Maseko [https://muonde.org/category/phiri-award/]. Handsome lives in Mhototi ward 16 in Zvishavane district, approximately 10 kilometres from Boas.

“I have constructed contours which divert run off water into my field. I have also constructed fishponds to store excess water but the bulk of the water on my farm is stored underground. It is discharged using clay pipes which have valves that can be opened or closed depending on the amount of water required,” he says.

Handsome says he used to struggle to get meaningful harvests but this has changed because he has abundant water all year round. He is now venturing into horticulture.

Daniel Ndlovu (34), the Research Officer at Muonde Trust says farmers’ innovations are transforming lives and helping communities to be food secure while regenerating the landscape.

“We have continued to engage farmers like Boas so that they can transfer knowledge and skills to other farmers,” he says.

Boas says he intends to incorporate other water harvesting techniques such as dry stone walling to further augment his efforts.