malvernmugadzikwa
Nokutenda Tobve
MORE than 200 boreholes have been drilled to establish ward livestock drought mitigation centres in areas impacted by last season’s El Niño-induced dry spell.
Each centre is equipped with a solar-powered borehole, livestock drinking and feeding troughs, as well as a livestock sales centre.
So far, 48 boreholes have been drilled in Manicaland province, while 30 others are ready in Mashonaland Central province.
In Mashonaland East province, 31 boreholes have been drilled, while others are in Mashonaland West (14), Midlands (33), Masvingo (19), Matabeleland South (27) and Matabeleland North (six).
Zimbabwe is facing a severe drought that has resulted in the loss of over 12 500 cattle between June and September due to malnutrition, water scarcity, culling and disease.
Responding to questions from The Sunday Mail, Zimbabwe National Water Authority head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said: “The Presidential Rural Development Programme continues to register significant progress, with a total of 416 village, school and youth business units having been successfully established to date.
“In addition, 3 277 boreholes had been drilled as of October 30, with 1 695 of them having already been equipped with solar systems and bush pumps, significantly improving access to safe water by thousands of households in rural areas, some of who had been travelling for distances in excess of 15 kilometres in search of water.
“A total of 208 boreholes out of the expected 635 boreholes have also been drilled for the establishment of ward livestock drought mitigation centres, aimed at helping save livestock in wards severely affected by the current El Niño-induced drought.”
The Presidential Rural Development Programme, she said, is part of the Government’s broader Rural Development 8.0 model, which seeks to uplift over 1,8 million rural households in eight provinces. The Government, through Zinwa, plans to drill and equip boreholes in each of the country’s 35 000 villages, along with 9 600 boreholes in schools and 4 500 for youth centres.
These boreholes will serve as the foundation for creating village, school and youth business units, which include solar-powered boreholes, 10 000-litre water storage tanks, one-hectare drip-irrigated horticulture projects, fishponds and communal water points.
“The business units are run on sound commercial lines, with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority being responsible for their management and registration as formal companies,” she added.
“The beneficiaries are both employees of the business units, earning monthly salaries, and shareholders earning a dividend at the end of a prescribed operating period.
“To ensure optimal profits, the Agricultural Marketing Authority secures markets for the business units, which informs the cropping choices. AFC Bank funds the business units.”
There are 41 business units in Midlands, six in Harare, 57 in Mashonaland Central, 29 in Mashonaland West, 62 in Mashonaland East, 30 in Matabeleland South, 36 in Matabeleland North, 13 in Bulawayo, 96 in Masvingo and 46 in Manicaland.
“The positive impact of the programme on communities is already bearing fruit in communities, with some beneficiaries already having received dividends of up to US$3 000, while others are earning up to US$50 per month from selling their produce to local businesses, boarding schools and supermarkets,” said Mrs Munyonga.
Online Reporter