Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A TOTAL of 120 Village Business Units (VBUs) have been established in Matabeleland South Province since last year, as the Government accelerates efforts to industrialise rural communities and transform livelihoods under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.
The province is targeting to set up 512 VBUs by the end of this year, in line with national targets to promote rural industrialisation, create employment and ensure food and income security.
Matabeleland South’s Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services deputy director, Mr Bhekilizwe Ncube, said 69 VBUs were established last year, while 51 have been set up so far this year.
“We have already established 120 Village Business Units across the province and continue to drill more boreholes to support them. These VBUs have made a significant impact as households now have access to diverse and improved diets due to the availability of various vegetables,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the VBUs have also created new sources of income for farmers, while youths are being employed on a casual basis, reducing unemployment and social ills in rural communities.
“Farmers are now treating agriculture as a business enterprise. They are selling their produce, generating income, and improving their standards of living,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the establishment of VBUs is supported by the borehole drilling programme, which provides a sustainable water source for irrigation and horticulture.
Between 2023 and 2025, a total of 425 boreholes have been drilled across the province — 274 successful and 151 unsuccessful. For 2024, the target was 340 boreholes, of which 184 have been drilled so far, with 122 yielding water.
Mr Ncube said the VBU concept was designed to promote rural industrialisation, enabling communities to shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture through shared ownership, irrigation development and business training.
He said members of the units were being encouraged to formalise their operations through registration, with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) assisting them in the process.
“The Government’s thrust is to maximise productivity from every piece of land. Even small plots can yield more when fully utilised. VBUs are key to achieving food sufficiency and ensuring communities are productive,” said Mr Ncube.
He added that while some areas had experienced delays due to water challenges, the programme would intensify next year, with continued support for farmers on business management and production efficiency.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme, under which the VBUs fall, seeks to establish 35 000 Village Business Units and 9 600 school business units by 2026.
Each VBU comes with a solar-powered borehole, irrigation infrastructure and greenhouses for horticultural production.
The initiative is part of the broader Rural Development 8.0 strategy, which includes the Vision 30 Accelerator Model, Pfumvudza/Intwasa, Presidential Poultry, Goat, Fisheries, Blitz Tick Grease and Cotton Inputs Schemes — all aimed at modernising rural economies and achieving Vision 2030. — @DubeMatutu.
Londile Moyo