Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating rural development through enhanced provision of technical support, extension services, and infrastructure investment — key pillars in advancing the Vision 2030 agenda.
This assurance was delivered last week by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, during a tour of Zambezi Traders and the official commissioning of the Kasikili Jabula Village Business Unit (VBU) in Ward 55 of Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province.
The event coincided with intensified Government efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, inclusive value chains, and rural industrialisation — essential drivers of sustainable development aligned with Vision 2030.
In his remarks following the commissioning of the Kasikili Jabula VBU, Prof Jiri stated that the enterprise strongly aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the Government’s ambitious Rural Development 8.0 framework. He described the initiative as a “blueprint for rural livelihoods upliftment”.
Established under the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), the one-hectare garden is currently benefiting 35 households through improved income, enhanced food security, and strengthened community cohesion.
“This is more than just a garden. It is a symbol of what can be achieved when Government, communities, and development partners work together.
“Kasikili Jabula is a living demonstration of how to turn marginal land into a productive enterprise, with real economic benefits for the people. It is rural transformation in action, village by village,” said Prof Jiri.
He emphasised that the success of Kasikili Jabula should serve as inspiration for other communities in similar ecological zones, and praised the resilience and commitment of the farmers — many of whom are women and youth — for transforming the VBU into a self-sustaining model of agro-entrepreneurship.
Prof Jiri noted that the initiative demonstrates the tangible impact of the Presidential Rural Development Programme and serves as a model for replication across the country.
Guided by Agriculture Business Advisory Officer, Ms Mercy Chikava, the VBU has already shown promising results. From its first cropping cycle, the unit generated US$4 000 and is projected to earn US$7 000 in the current season. This income has significantly improved the livelihoods of participating households, many of whom previously relied on erratic rainfall and limited market access.
Despite being located in agro-ecological Region 5B — an area characterised by aridity and poor soils — the VBU has flourished thanks to a solar-powered irrigation system that enables year-round cultivation.
The garden produces a diverse range of vegetables and field crops, including okra, green pepper, spinach, carrots, chomolia, covo, garlic, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, watermelon, and maize. This diversity not only enhances local nutrition but also attracts strong market demand from nearby communities and institutions.
During his visit to Zambezi Traders, Prof Jiri commended the company as a vital private-sector player in Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain. He praised its model of supporting smallholder horticulture farmers by offering them reliable and consistent market access.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to tour Zambezi Traders and witness first-hand the impactful work being done here. By providing a market for horticultural produce, Zambezi Traders is not only unlocking economic opportunities for communal farmers but also actively contributing to our broader vision of rural transformation,” he said.
Prof Jiri said that the company’s focus on quality, innovation, and inclusive growth makes it a model of how the private sector can collaborate with Government to uplift communities.
He encouraged Zambezi Traders to consider expanding into underutilised rural areas, particularly in Hwange’s remote wards, where significant horticultural potential remains untapped.
“Our ministry is ready to support private-sector players like Zambezi Traders to grow and spread their impact. Together, we can build viable, sustainable rural economies,” he said.
The commissioning of the VBU also included an exchange visit involving farmers from 12 other Village Business Units established under the SACP. The Government, through the ministry, aims to establish 35 000 business units across the country, comprising VBUs (Village Business Units), SBUs (Suburban Business Units), and YBUs (Youth Business Units).
Bongani Moyo