OVER 1,000 acres of various key crops have withered due to drought in Makiba Village, Arumeru District, Arusha Region.

For several years, Makiba canal has been a lifeline for over 5,000 farmers in the village and neighbouring areas, supporting the cultivation of maize, beans, bananas, cassava, and vegetables.

Speaking at different times yesterday, some farmers, including Athanas Sumari, expressed concern about their worsening livelihoods due to their crops drying up.

Sumari alleged that some influential individuals had diverted the canal's water for use on their large farms, leaving smallholder farmers in Makiba to suffer.

“The situation is extremely difficult for us farmers because our crops have dried up. If no action is taken, the impact will be severe, and we will be completely devastated,” Sumari said.

Another farmer, Joseph Justo, explained that they were preparing to protest and take their grievances to Arumeru District Commissioner to demand restoration of the water supply from Makiba canal.

Justo added that some large-scale farmers at Doli had diverted the canal's water to irrigate their farms.

Pius Mmassy, another affected farmer, said that he had taken loans from banks and financial institutions but feared defaulting due to crop losses because of drought.

“We plead with the government to intervene because we farmers will be impoverished as we won’t be able to repay the loans we took,” Mmassy said.

Secretary of Makiba canal, Elieza Kisaka, claimed that a certain irrigation department official from the district (name held) had ordered the canal's water to be diverted.

He alleged that the official’s instructions hampered water flow from the Doli canal to Makiba village   resulting in the current crisis.

When contacted, Makiba Ward Executive Officer Godlisten Lema commended the farmers for peacefully demanding their rights through proper channels.  

“I have reported this issue to   Mbuguni Divisional Officer’s office for further investigation so that action is taken against those responsible for diverting   water from the source,” Lema said.

Makiba Ward Councillor Samson Laizer stated that four proposals had been made to address the challenge, calling for their implementation to resolve the issue effectively.