By Lake Zone Watch Writer
The government is set to revive irrigation farming in the Bugwema Basin, covering an area estimated to be more than10,000 hectares in Musoma rural, Mara Region according to an impeccable source.
Revival of the irrigation farming project dating back to 1974, is a response by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to a plea made by wananchi through their Member of Parliament Prof Sospeter Muhongo in 2022, when she was inaugurating Mugango- Kiabakari – Butiama water pipe worth 70.5bn/-.
In its 2023/2024 budget, the National Irrigation Commission has tasked Mhandisi Consultancy Ltd to conduct a feasibility study and design for the irrigation project.
Bugema Basin covers the villages of Bugwema, Masinono and Muhoji. But neighbouring wards of Bugoji, Nyambono and Murangi are also part of the basin and will thus benefit from the project.
Crops grown in the Bugwema basin include paddy, maize, sunflower, cotton and peas.