Harare — GOVERNMENT is working on modalities to resuscitate a multi-trillion dollar crocodile-farming project at Joice Mujuru Irrigation Scheme in Chilonga communal lands in Chiredzi, amid reports that crocodile-farming equipment was not being utilised at the scheme.

Equipment at the scheme has the capacity to accommodate nearly 10 000 reptiles but has not been used over the past six years, prejudicing Zimbabwe of billions of dollars in foreign currency. The farm, in which the Joice Mujuru scheme is located, was acquired by the Government for resettlement purposes and was subsequently distributed to over 150 landless villagers from the neighbouring drought-stricken Chilonga communal lands. However, none of the newly resettled farmers has managed to resuscitate the lucrative crocodile-farming project, which used to produce crocodile meat and hides for export. Masvingo governor and resident minister Cde Willard Chiwewe yesterday revealed that the provincial leadership would dispatch a team of experts soon to establish how to resuscitate the crocodile project.

Cde Chiwewe said the team of experts would be led by provincial administrator Cde Felix Chikovo and would also comprise of officials from the Department of Agricultural Research and Ex tension Services (Arex). "We have decided to send a team to the scheme led by the provincial administrator to examine how best the crocodile project can be resuscitated and it is in the context of those findings that we can now decide on the best route to take. "It is our view to identify new farmers who were resettled at the scheme and have the expertise to take over and revive the crocodile farming project and the Government will be ready to render any assistance," said Cde Chiwewe.

The governor also pointed out that the provincial leadership was also keen to establish the exact administrative district under which the Joice Mujuru Scheme falls before working out the modalities to resuscitate the project. The scheme was geographically located in Mwenezi District but was currently administered from Chiredzi District. The two districts were only separated by the mighty Runde River. Cde Chiwewe highlighted that the crocodile-farming project deserved top priority from the Gover nment given that it had the potential to boost exports and mitigate the prevailing shortages of foreign currency. He also pointed out that it was heartening that Vice President Joice Mujuru had also thrown her weight behind the resuscitation of the crocodile farming project at the scheme and had pledged to help in the marketing of the hides and meat from the reptiles. During her tour of the irrigation scheme in Chilonga recently, Cde Mujuru said the Government was concerned at the under-utilisation of the crocodile farming facilities at the scheme.

The Vice President pointed out that the Government was ready to assist financially towards the resuscitation of the crocodile-farming project at the scheme, which she said could transform the lives of scores of impoverished villagers resettled on the farm. Farmers at the scheme are currently producing maize under irrigation and had totally abandoned the existing facilities for crocodile farming.