Online Reporter
Lonster Mutata
Zimpapers Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S push to build a US$2 billion horticulture industry is gathering momentum, with Government positioning village business units (VBUs) as the cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture, rural industrialisation and food security.
Speaking during a tour of Marsland Farm in Umguza district, Matabeleland North province, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri said the country was steadily transforming villages into year-round production hubs, creating jobs, generating incomes and guaranteeing household nutrition.
“A village business unit is essentially a one-hectare, drip-irrigated, solar-powered production centre,” said Prof Jiri.
“It produces crops all year round because it is enabled by water availability. The name speaks for itself. These are businesses run by the people who live there.”
He said a single VBU could contribute about a third of a village’s food requirements, making the model a critical pillar in the country’s quest for lasting food and nutrition security.
Nearly 4 000 VBUs have already been established under Government programmes, with authorities now calling on the private sector, development partners, churches, schools and individuals to replicate the model across the country.
“We want the private sector to lead because it sees business in this production,” Prof Jiri said.
“As we move forward, production from VBUs will be aggregated at ward and district centres, creating stronger markets and vibrant rural economies.”
The expansion of VBUs comes as the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan accelerates the nation’s agricultural transformation.
Horticulture, Prof Jiri said, was expected to become a US$2 billion industry, significantly contributing towards Government’s ambition of growing agriculture into a US$15,8 billion sector by 2030.
“We are looking at horticulture becoming a US$2 billion industry riding on the growth of citrus, blueberries, pecan nuts, avocados and vegetables,” he said.
He noted that increased production of tomatoes, cabbages and beetroot had strengthened domestic food supplies, allowing Zimbabwe to satisfy local demand.
“We have banned the importation of these vegetables because we have enough,” he said.
Prof Jiri said improved production planning through crop calendars had also begun stabilising markets.
“In recent weeks, tomato prices skyrocketed because of shortages, but farmers responded by planning properly. We are now seeing prices coming down as supply improves.”
Government is also encouraging greater investment in Irish potatoes and rice to match changing consumer preferences, particularly among Zimbabwe’s youthful population, while supplying the rapidly expanding fast-food industry.
“We have seen a proliferation of fast-food outlets, largely driven by potatoes and chicken products, and this is happening against the backdrop of growing potato production,” he said.
Beyond boosting agricultural output, Prof Jiri said horticulture was central to improving nutrition.
“We are not only looking at food security based on cereals; we are also looking at nutrition security based on horticultural crops. Growth in this sector means growth in nutrition.”
On climate resilience, Prof Jiri said reliable water supplies remained the foundation of Government’s strategy.
“To counter climate change, you need to deal with water availability,” he said.
“Wherever we establish a village business unit, there must be access to water through boreholes, dams, weirs or other water sources.”
Government is expanding irrigation while encouraging farmers to produce according to market demand rather than speculation.
“We want our farmers to grow to sell, not grow and then look for a market,” Prof Jiri added.
