Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
NYAMAHUMBA Village Business Unit (VBU) in Nyanga District has been crowned the best Village Business Unit in Zimbabwe after scooping top honours at the recently concluded Harare Agricultural Show, a remarkable achievement that has thrust the rural farming community into the national spotlight.
The award is a major endorsement of the transformative role being played by organised community-based farming initiatives in boosting agricultural production, value addition and rural livelihoods.
Located in Ward Six of Nyanga North Constituency, the Nyamahumba VBU outperformed competing Village Business Units from across the country at Zimbabwe’s premier agricultural exhibition, which annually brings together farmers, agribusinesses, Government departments, development partners and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
For its outstanding performance, the 89-member business unit received a 58-horsepower tractor, a certificate of excellence and a trophy, which were presented by President Mnangagwa.
The victory is expected to elevate the profile of Nyamahumba farmers, while inspiring other communities across Nyanga District, Manicaland Province and the country to embrace commercialised, business-oriented agriculture.
Manicaland Provincial Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDS) director, Mr Nhamo Mudada, attributed the success to strong collaboration between extension officers and farmers, describing the award as a proud moment for the province.
“We are elated to emerge as winners at national level. This achievement is a result of hard work and the meticulous execution of duties by extension officers, as well as the cooperation and commitment of beneficiaries and the community,” said Mr Mudada.
He said Manicaland currently boasts 192 Village Business Units, comprising two youth business units, 35 school business units, four chief business units and one vocational training business unit.
“More than 80 percent of the VBUs are functioning well, with farmers operating on a commercial basis. We still face isolated challenges, particularly relating to water availability at some units, but efforts are ongoing to address these issues,” he said.
Nyamahumba VBU chairman, Mr Douglas Nyanhongo, said the group has made tremendous progress since the project was handed over by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) two years ago.
What started as a crop production enterprise has since evolved into a diversified agribusiness operation that now includes fish farming, broiler production and layer projects.
“We are delighted to be recognised as the best Village Business Unit in the country. We work closely with our extension officers and practice mixed farming. We grow green mealies, cabbages, green beans and tomatoes, while also running fish farming and poultry projects,” said Mr Nyanhongo.
The group’s success has been underpinned by a ready market for its products, with supplies reaching schools, health institutions, retail outlets and households within the surrounding communities.
“There is strong demand for our produce. We supply nearby schools, hospitals, shops and community members, and in many instances we struggle to meet the demand,” he said.
Mr Nyanhongo said transparency and accountability have been key pillars of the business unit’s success.
“Transparency in our operations has brought us this far. Our finances are managed fairly and openly, and members work together as one family. Since joining the VBU, our livelihoods have improved significantly. We have moved from subsistence farming to running a viable commercial enterprise that is transforming lives.”
He said the tractor won at the agricultural show will enable the group to expand production and increase productivity.
“We are currently operating on two hectares, but with this tractor we intend to expand to five hectares. It will play a critical role in helping us increase output and take the business to another level,” said Mr Nyanhongo.
Nyanga District Agritex Extension Officer, Ms Tsitsi Makombe, attributed the VBU’s success to strong leadership, effective governance and teamwork.
“What makes Nyamahumba unique is the unity among members. Traditional leaders, including the headman and village heads, as well as the ward councillor, are part of the project. This means governance and administrative issues are addressed quickly because all key stakeholders are involved,” she said.
Ms Makombe said the VBU also works closely with extension officers, who provide technical guidance and support.
“As Agritex, we do not impose programmes on farmers. We work with them and support initiatives that suit their circumstances. We also adopt a whole-of-government approach by involving other ministries and departments to provide specialised support where necessary.”
She added that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development assisted the group in drafting a constitution, helping to strengthen governance structures and accountability mechanisms.
Village Business Units were established to promote collective farming, encourage resource-sharing, improve productivity and facilitate access to markets and value-addition opportunities.
Nyamahumba VBU’s national recognition highlights the enormous potential of organised rural communities to compete successfully in formal agricultural markets when supported with appropriate training, technology, infrastructure and extension services.
