African farmer wins international award for harvesting rain water

(13 Dec 2006)
1. Wide homestead
2. Close up of farmer Zephaniah Phiri Maseko reading a book about himself
3. Wide of Maseko reading
4. Pipes that drain water from slope
5. Close up of pipes
6. Wide pan of slope
7. Close of dug out that holds water
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Zephaniah Phiri Maseko:
"This area carries quite a lot of run off, so I thought if I could just make a reservoir here, I could harness quite a lot of water that is going to make a
strong seepage into my fields."
9. Wide of field
10. Close up of crop
11. Walking shot of Maseko in his fields
12. Water in trench
13.Wide of trenches
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Zephaniah Phiri Maseko :
"Ever since I started, its over 40 years now, I have never had much problems about food problems. I either help other communities when they run short of food, then I think since I started this project I am really secure."
15. Wide of Maseko at well
16. Close up of inside of well
17. Maseko's wife getting water
18. Walking shot of Maseko's wife getting water
19. Maseko's wife watering plant nursery
20. Wide of plants
21. Various of crops
22. Maseko at fish ponds
23. Close up of fish in water
24. SOUNDBITE (English) Zephaniah Phiri Maseko :
"The award is a shocking thing even to me. I couldn't understand it, because I didn't know I was doing such great work."
25. Close up of certificate from National Geographic Society
26. Maseko looking at certificate
27. Wide of water tank
28. Water pipes
29. Water tap, with running water
LEAD IN :
Every year the National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation gives US$25,000 to individuals making a difference in conservation around the world.
This year one of the awards went to a Zimbabwean farmer in his seventies, for his lifelong study of water conservation techniques.
STORYLINE :
Zephaniah Phiri Maseko from the Msunami village in the midlands province of Zimbabwe recently received the 2006 National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation.
Zimbabwe's Zvishavane district is particularly arid and lacking in resources.
Maseko, who's aged 79, has been water harvesting there for more than 40 years.
The National Geographic Society says that Maseko's lifelong dedication to soil nutrition and water conservation has generated innovative land husbandry.
The Society says Maseko studied rainfall patterns and experimented with terraces, reservoirs, catchments, canals, infiltration pits, ponds and dams.
In 1986 Maseko set up the Zvishavane Water Project, an organisation that helps communal farmers in the surrounding arid region make use of the little rain that they get.
According to the National Geographic, the project's goals are to "educate others about water harvesting and conservation, promote sustainable farming and increase farm income."
Through his techniques he has managed to grow abundant fruit and vegetables from the surrounding arid land.
Maseko says because of his water harvesting he has always had enough to eat, and always helps others with their crops if he can.
Maseko says he was amazed to receive the award.
His project has also become a study area for university students, who travel to his land and study his techniques.
Keyword-conservation

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