Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala, Chronicle Reporter
THE Jairos Jiri Centre in Douglasdale, Umguza District’s long held dream to attain food security through self-sustainability by producing its own food was finally made possible when the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development recently handed over a fully equipped Village Business Unit (VBU) at the institution.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri handed over the project, which features four newly-installed 5 000-litre solar powered water tanks, and a drip irrigation system that will be utilised to produce food on a 1,5 hectare piece of land.
The investment is part of a broader national strategy to enhance rural economies and ensure food security through sustainable agricultural practices and infrastructure.
In 2023, the Government set a target to establish 10 000 business units, which cover youths, school business units, irrigation business units and village business units.
In an interview on the sidelines of the launch of the VBU, chairperson of the Jairos Jiri Vocational Centre, Mrs Sanele Mlauzi expressed her gratitude to the ministry for its support in a project that she said will help sustain food security in the institution.
“The project started in February as part of the chosen programmes by the President and so far, we have gone a long way in terms of food sustainability,” said Mrs Mlauzi.
“Initially the project was meant to be established at our training centre in Nguboyenja but due to space, we shifted it to our farm, the Jairos Jiri Farm.”
She highlighted that the project is aimed at equipping students, especially those with disability, to be empowered, sustain themselves and be able to help in their communities.
“Our institution helps those who are not able bodied and we can help them work and practice farming with other farmers,” she said.
The Jairos Jiri Centre VBU is set to support community-based production, improve food security and create income generating opportunities for local households.
Addressing students and district farmers, Prof Jiri encouraged farmers to open their own village business units as a way to empower their communities and grow economically.
“This is truly rural development in action and every development must start from each village following His Excellency’s mantra, leaving no one and no place behind’,” he said.
“This business unit is a testament to the fact that when we produce, we not only assist our institutions but we are able to market and get income.”
Prof Jiri also urged the citizens to participate in rural transformation, especially those who are able, as part of the Presidential Rural Development Programme to uplift livelihoods, improve nutrition and food security.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme, launched by the President in December 202, has been a game changer for rural communities in Zimbabwe.
The investment is part of a broader national strategy to enhance rural economies through sustainable agricultural infrastructure.
