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Violet Chenyika
OVER 20 000 households have been empowered through village business units (VBUs) under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, a development that is progressively boosting rural incomes and improving the standards of living of communities.
The business units, which have benefitted from over 3 500 solar-powered boreholes that have been drilled mostly in rural areas under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, reportedly generate up to US$3 000 in dividends for beneficiaries.
To date, the programme has established 335 VBUs, in addition to 75 school business units (SBUs), 10 youth business units (YBUs) and three vocational training centre business units.
Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said: “The Presidential Rural Development Programme has tremendously transformed lives in rural areas through employment creation and as a source of income, with some beneficiaries earning as high as US$3 000 in dividends, while others earn as much as US$50 monthly from village business units.
“A cumulative 20 100 households across the country are earning a monthly average of US$60 each from the 335 village business units that have been successfully established under the ongoing Presidential Rural Development Programme being spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development through ZINWA, ARDA (Agricultural and Rural Development Authority), AFC and AMA (Agricultural Marketing Authority).”
ZINWA, which is responsible for infrastructure development, is set to drill and equip a borehole in each of the country’s 35 000 villages, as well as at 9 600 schools and 4 500 youth centres.
“These boreholes form the anchor infrastructure for the establishment of village, school, youth and vocational training centre business units, whose components typically include a solar-powered borehole, water storage tanks, a one-hectare drip technology horticulture project, a communal water point and two fishponds,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga said ARDA is registering the business units as formal companies, with AMA securing ready markets for the produce.
“ARDA has the responsibility of registering the business units as formal companies, overseeing their day-to-day management and ensuring that they are operated viably.
“AMA develops the business case for the business units and secures ready markets for the produce from the village business units, while AFC provides funding,” added Mrs Munyonga.
Launched in 2021, the Presidential Rural Development Programme prioritises access to water as a cornerstone for socioeconomic development in rural areas.
Online Reporter