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Blessings Chidakwa, Herald Reporter
The ongoing drilling of Presidential boreholes and the resulting establishment of village business units across the country has brought clean water and economic opportunities to communities in need.
The ground-breaking initiative is saving lives and improving livelihoods in areas such as Checheche, and Chipinge where several people used to be killed or injured by crocodiles while fetching water.
Villagers, who were hard hit by the El-Nino-induced drought, now have access to potable water in their vicinity thanks to the Presidential Borehole Scheme, while the accompanying village business units and school busines units are guaranteeing food security. The units formally establish a horticulture garden of around 5ha in each village, with solar pumps and drip-feed irrigation. The unit is a formal company owned by the villagers.
Once reliant on subsistence farming and vulnerable to climatic vagaries communities in Buhera, Birchenough and Chiredzi are now producing a diverse range of crops for commercial sale.
From maize, potatoes, tomatoes, and onions to watermelons and carrots, local farmers are supplying markets across the provinces and beyond.
Apart from eliminating hunger, the village and school business units are also sources of livelihood within communities and schools. Job opportunities have also been created especially for women and youths.
In the spirit of “leaving no one and no place behind” the boreholes and village business units are replicated in all the country’s districts.
A survivor of a crocodile attack in Checheche, who lost a hand while fetching water on September 8, 2014, Mrs Lainah Chitunguru (53), said the Second Republic is a listening Government after it addressed their decade-old plea.
“I lost my right hand while fetching water from the Save River. Life has never been the same again. I have several colleagues who perished while fetching water. Life has been hard for us, we were exposed to crocodile attacks. The President’s initiative has brought relief to this community, and we are grateful for his efforts,” she said.
President Mnangagwa’s borehole initiative is not only transforming rural livelihoods in rural Manicaland and Masvingo but also turning the provinces from being drought-stricken landscapes into thriving agricultural hubs.
Mr Daniel Muradzikwa, from Chikuwa village, Buhera district applauded the Presidential Borehole Scheme for not only transforming the livelihoods of villagers but also inspiring migration from subsistence to commercial farming.
“We applaud the President for broadening our scope on farming, previously we were only concerned with feeding our families, now because of the village business units, we have migrated to commercial farming,” he said.
Mr Muradzikwa said he was proud to be one of the first local farmers to produce potatoes for commercial purposes. He has over 2,500 potato plants with the potential to earn him handsome financial rewards.
Loveness Dhliwayo a villager from Chipinge said the Presidential Borehole Scheme had transformed their livelihoods as they have since added to their rain-fed farm production.
“Before we had this borehole drilled in our village we relied on rain and often faced hunger. Now, we have water for our crops year-round, and our lives have changed completely,” she said.
A local elder from Chiredzi, Samson Munorwei said the units were bringing communities together and that the constant supply of water was a ray of hope in the drought-prone area.
“It has brought us together as a community. We share knowledge and resources, and everyone benefits. Our incomes have increased, and we are investing in our future,” he said.
At Marega Primary School in Checheche, Mudanda Secondary and Murambinda B High Schools in Buhera the business units are also flourishing.
Mudanda Secondary School head Mrs Ndakaitei Mangwende said since its establishment in 1988, the school had relied on a well.
“Our school will never be the same again now. We are going to fulfil Education 5.0 with ease as our learners are now doing hands-on farming. They are being trained to be job creators,” she said.
At Murambinda B High where the country hosted its 44th Independence Celebrations this year, the acting head Mr Dennis Garabha, said the institution is now revamped.
“We were a poor school but now we are developed. We have our one-hectare drip irrigation which we are using well. We planted maize, tomatoes, and vegetables which are almost ready for harvesting”.
Marega Primary head Mrs Raviro Mudadirwa said they used to rely on one bush pump serving the whole community with over 1 000 learners at the school.
“The borehole was always dry. The installation of a solarised one has brought much relief to us regarding water provision and agriculture,” she said.
One of the main implementers of the project, Prevail International Group led by chairman Dr Paul Tungwarara, said the initiative is a catalyst for economic empowerment and a key step towards achieving Zimbabwe’s vision 2030.
“I would like to commend His Excellency Cde Dr President Mnangagwa for spearheading a national project of this magnitude, empowering rural communities in the most remote parts of the country.
“The Presidential Borehole Scheme and village business units have helped marginalised communities in drought-hit areas become self-sufficient and commercial agriculture actors,” he said.
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