Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Online Reporter
ZANU-PF affiliate, Community Action Group for ED (CAG4ED), has begun rolling out community-based developmental initiatives across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces.
In a bid to improve livelihoods nationwide, CAG4ED has identified Matabeleland South, Midlands, and Masvingo provinces as the first beneficiaries.
Recently, CAG4ED led afforestation projects in various areas including Beitbridge, Mangwe, Bikita, Inyanga, Gutu South, Masvingo, Zaka, and Chivi, among others.
The organisation is also establishing a nutritional garden in Osabeni village, Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, where Prevail International has installed a 10,000-litre solar-powered borehole.
Additionally, CAG4ED set up a fruit orchard at Osabeni Primary School, planting citrus trees.
CAG4ED founder Ms. Regina Munyamani explained the organisation’s mission: “We are a lobby group focused on identifying community challenges and developing solutions aligned with Vision 2030 and beyond. Our objective is to improve livelihoods at household level with emphasis on climate change mitigation, waste management, green energy, child development against drug abuse, and combating gender-based violence.
“The gardens we are establishing will feature diverse crops, including horticultural produce, tubers, cereals, and fruits. We also plan to cultivate traditional fruit trees such as munyii, nhunguru, masawu, and mazhanje. Our initiatives extend to poultry, fishery focusing on tilapia production, and animal husbandry including goats, sheep, and cattle. Plans include establishing a hatchery and seed beds.”
Ms. Munyamani added that value addition is a long-term goal for all projects. “At Osabeni, we aim to create a community centre with training and research facilities similar to Tonganyika Trust in Gutu South. We want to offer training courses for villagers to understand Government’s developmental goals towards Vision 2030.
“We also plan to establish a project-based research and training centre for crop and livestock farming, collaborating with institutions like Prevail International, Agritex, and Veterinary Services.”
Matabeleland South was chosen as the pilot province, starting with Mangwe District. Beitbridge District will follow, where an orchard has been established at Malala School in partnership with the Forestry Commission.
“Gokwe Nembudziya was initially slated to be the first beneficiary, but the Independence Day celebrations caused a delay,” Ms. Munyamani concluded.
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