Botswana finally draws Zambezi water for irrigation

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Friday March 29, 2013 00:00

 

Speaking during an interview at the World Water Day commemorations at the diamond rich village of Letlhakane in the Boteti Sub-District, Mokaila said implementation of the concluded plans is underway.

He revealed that the water is intended for use in the Zambezi Integrated Agro-commercial developmental project. He further said Agro farmers in the Pandamatenga area will be allowed to do their farming throughout the year through irrigation schemes. The minister also said the water drawn from the Chobe/Zambezi water basin will be linked up with the existing North/South carrier pipeline to supply water deficient centres in the eastern part of the country. He hailed the Zambezi Water Course Commission (ZAMCOM) for playing a significant role in ensuring that Botswana will draw water from the Chobe/Zambezi basin.

'This would not have been possible without the ZAMCOM cooperation framework under the Southern African Development Community (SADC),' he said.

According to Mokaila, the development is testimony to Botswana's commitment towards working with other countries in the management of water resources.

He said the country has entered several agreements for the trans-boundary water resources management.

The SADC region has 15 major river basins that are shared by two or more nations and represent over 70 percent of the region's surface water resources. 'Out of the 15 (major river basins), Botswana is a signatory to four of them,' said Mokaila.

He added that the major river basins commission to which Botswana is a signatory, are high level cooperative committees geared towards managing resources of the shared river systems in a coordinated manner amongst the riparian states.