Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Mbunde Village in Skopo, Ward 15 of Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province, has entered a new chapter of rural industrialisation after the Chibini Village Business Unit (VBU) transformed 1,25 hectares of land into a thriving hub of productivity since opening on February 1, 2025.
Established under the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), the VBU is driven by a committed team of 30 beneficiaries, comprising 18 women and 12 men, including 10 youths, demonstrating how community collaboration can drive food security and sustainable rural development.
In an update, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development said the Chibini VBU had moved beyond subsistence farming and was positioning itself as a viable agribusiness.
“With a solid constitution in place and a clear vision for the future, the Chibini team is transitioning from subsistence to business,” said the Ministry.
“Thanks to a reliable solarised borehole and the support of the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project, coupled with a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the fields are now alive with green mealies, sugar beans, nutritious tomatoes and fresh leafy vegetables.
“Zimbabwe is not just farming; we are building a food ecosystem.”
The Ministry attributed the VBU’s success to several key interventions, including solarisation and pump installation to support green energy use, capacity testing and land preparation, standardised fencing, irrigation conveyance systems, and ridge making to improve soil health.
It said the Chibini VBU was now shifting gears towards market-oriented production, with a clear focus on meeting demand.
“The goal is simple — to produce what the market wants, when the market wants it,” the Ministry said.
While challenges such as road infrastructure and storage facilities remain, the Ministry said the resilience and determination of the Mbunde Village community remained strong.
“With stakeholders such as Agritex/ Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) in our corner, the team is undergoing training in Climate-Smart Agriculture, financial literacy and group governance,” read part of the update.
The Ministry said Chibini VBU was more than just a farming project.
“Chibini VBU is not just a farm; it is the future of Zimbabwe’s food security.”
