DAR ES SALAAM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- As dawn breaks over the rice fields in Tanzania's Iringa Region, farmer Mashauri Julius walks along a newly-built irrigation scheme constructed by China Railway Jianchang Engineering Company (CRJE) (East Africa) Limited, a leading Chinese construction firm.
Julius watches life-giving water flow steadily onto his land, something he once thought impossible.
For years, Julius relied on unpredictable rains and traditional irrigation methods, never certain of his harvest. Today, as water runs reliably through the irrigation channel, he feels something new--confidence.
"This project has already begun to change our lives," he said. "Before, if you harvested 10 to 15 bags of paddy per acre, it was considered good. Now we are reaching 30 bags, and we expect even more."
His optimism reflects the transformation brought by sections 3 and 4 of the Iringa Irrigation Project, part of the larger Mkombozi scheme. Even before full completion, more than 70 percent of the system is operational, allowing farmers like Julius to glimpse a future of higher yields and greater stability.
Marked annually on March 22, World Water Day highlights the importance of freshwater and sustainable water management. In communities like Pawaga Division, the message is no longer abstract, but it is visible in flowing canals and thriving farms.
Located in Tanzania's southern highlands, the project involves constructing approximately 78 kilometers of irrigation canals and 85 kilometers of rural roads, ultimately serving more than 8,000 hectares of farmland. Once completed, it is expected to benefit tens of thousands of farmers across multiple villages.
"We have completed all the canal excavation and road construction, and only a small portion of structures remain," Zhang Hong, project manager, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Despite challenges, especially during the rainy season, we are confident the project will be finalized soon and handed over to Tanzanian authorities."
Construction has not been without obstacles. Heavy rains often disrupted progress, washing away completed work and limiting access to sites. At the same time, local communities depended on the same water sources for daily needs and farming, requiring careful coordination.
Collaboration proved key. Support from Tanzania's National Irrigation Commission, local authorities, and residents enabled the project to move forward steadily.
For the Pawaga Division, where agriculture is the backbone of livelihoods, the impact is already profound.
Emmanuel Ngabuji, Division Officer for Pawaga Division, noted that farming has long been constrained by inadequate irrigation infrastructure.
"In the past, we used simple, traditional canals that could not meet demand," he said. "Now, areas that never received water are being cultivated. Production is increasing, and opportunities are expanding."
The project, backed by government funding of approximately 34 billion Tanzanian shillings (about 14 million U.S. dollars), supports a scheme that serves multiple villages and plays a key role in rice supply to major cities such as Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
Beyond agriculture, the benefits ripple through the local economy. Improved roads have enhanced connectivity, while irrigation has attracted investment in rice processing and related industries. Youth employment has risen, with hundreds finding work in construction and farming activities.
For many residents, the changes are tangible. Families are building better homes, sending children to school, and accessing healthcare more easily. Women, once limited to small plots, are expanding their farming activities and gaining access to financial services.
Back in his field, Julius looks ahead to the next planting season with renewed determination. With reliable irrigation, farmers expect to cultivate multiple times a year and further increase yields.
"We are no longer farming with fear," he said. "We are farming with hope."
On this World Water Day, the flowing canals of Iringa stand as a testament to how access to water, supported by international cooperation, can transform not just fields, but entire communities, turning uncertainty into opportunity and sustaining life for generations to come. ■
