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Precious Manomano, Herald Reporter
THE rural industrialisation drive has taken a new dimension, with the Government launching the Vision 2030 Agriculture and Livelihood Tracker (VALT) to assess the extent to which initiatives by the Second Republic are uplifting the lives of ordinary people.
VALT was launched by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka in Goromonzi yesterday.
The initiative is part of President Mnangagwa’s broader agricultural transformation plan aimed at transforming subsistence farmers into commercially viable farmers.
“We are launching VALT here in Goromonzi. This is rural development in motion,” Dr Masuka said.
“We will be tracking progress of all our agricultural programmes to ensure that we uplift the lives of the rural population.
“On village business units, what is produced is informed by the market. ARDA will assist them with agronomy. AFC Holdings will assist with cash flows, while AMA will assist with marketing and Agritex will assist with training.”
Tracking the progress of Government programmes would ensure the success of such initiatives, while areas seeing challenges could be reviewed.
Dr Masuka said the establishment of village business units would be accelerated to transform rural areas through increased incomes.
Government has so far established about 405 village business units under the ongoing Presidential Rural Development Programme.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Dr Anxious Masuka (centre) is welcomed by his Permanent Secretary Dr Obbert Jiri (left) and the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory (ARDAS) chief director Mr Leonard Munamati at the launch of the Vision 2030 Agriculture and Livelihoods Tracker (VALT) at the Gosha Village Business Unit in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East yesterday-Picture:Joshua Muswere
Beneficiaries of the Gosha Business Unit expressed gratitude over the establishment of their village business unit, saying it would go a long way in alleviating poverty and improving incomes.
Mr Enock Murape of Murape village said the unit would go a long way in addressing issues of hunger in the area.
Chief Goromonzi Chikwaka born Witness Murambiwa said President Mnangagwa’s vision of uplifting the rural population was greatly appreciated.
“This village business unit has rescued my community. People can produce goods for consumption and also for sale.
“This has positively transformed my community,” he said.
Residents follow proceedings during the initial launch of the Vision 2030 Agriculture and LIvelihoods Tracker (VALT) at the Gosha Village Business Unit in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East yesterday-Picture:Joshua Muswere
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