adminNgoni Dapira Post Correspondent
RURAL urbanisation is a concept currently being driven by several developing nations to counter the massive rural-urban migration by job seekers and people travelling far for basic services.
Mhumhi Abattoirs in Marange, which was officially opened last week Wednesday after commencing construction of the project in March, is a case in point that should be encouraged in rural arrears as Government pushes the rural urbanisation drive.
The facility is co-owned by Mr Douglas Mutambara and Mrs Stella Chigwada was valued at $25 000.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene officially opened the place and called on business people to invest in their rural communities to help improve the livelihoods and economic emancipation in the marginalised areas.
An abattoir is a facility where animals are killed and processed into meat products. In large facilities, slaughtering is carried out in fully mechanised lines and workers are assigned to specific workstations and the carcasses move on a conveyor system from station to another until the slaughter process is completed.
The Marange area had no such facility and the lack of appropriate slaughtering facilities and unsatisfactory slaughtering techniques resulted in the consumption of infected meat, caused unnecessary losses of meat as well as valuable by-products from animal carcasses.
Mr Mutambara said he saw a need to create a professionally run abattoir to cut costs for locals who had difficulties accessing markets.
“Lengthy transportation distances charged prohibitive costs and absence of affordable facilities for slaughtering intrigued me to set up this abattoir. The belief that such state-of-art facilities should be found in the city is old. The consumer market most communal farmers want to sale to now want more hygienic ways of processing meat and that is what I offered them,” said Mr Mutambara.
Minister Chimene said Charity should begin at home and that is the only way Zimbabwe will grow countrywide, instead of people migrating to perceived greener pastures.
“Government is looking for people who invest in their rural communities as there are numerous opportunities, which could improve rural livelihoods and the economic complexion, which are going untapped. Charity begins at home, and we should seriously consider investing in our rural areas so that we create employment and uplift the living standards of the rural population. We should all play part in eradicating rural poverty and not despising them,” said Cde Chimene.Cde Chimene said the establishment of the abattoir in a rural community whose beef cattle population hovers around 50 000, will offer a better market, minimise incidence of stock-theft and ensures the circulation of certified and inspected meat products.
“We are in a new era that demands that meat be inspected before distribution. This facility will enable community to access certified and health meat products,” said Cde Chimene.
Mr Mutambara said the facility has the capacity to slaughter 80 head of cattle a week.
“Additionally, the establishment of this facility will bring increased market diversity and opportunity for the Manicaland cattle industry. Prices of meat products are expected to fall in the area and nearby areas. As Mhumhi holdings we want to make this project a unique model that will be emulated countrywide,” said Mr Mutambara.
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