Online Reporter
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
The introduction of a solar-powered irrigation system at Kasiliki Jabula Village Business Unit (VBU) in Hwange has improved agricultural productivity, enhanced household food security and increased income for beneficiaries.
The business unit earned US$4 000 in its first crop cycle. Commissioning the Kasikili Jabula VBU in Ward 55, Hwange in Matabeleland North, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri recently said rural development was transforming lives in the dry area natural region 5b.
“The introduction of a solar-powered irrigation system has brought water to this dry area, empowering the community and uplifting their livelihoods,” he said.
“The impact of this one-hectare solar-powered irrigation plot is immense in this rural area.”
Kasikili Jabula VBU is a one-hectare garden that evolved into a productive and sustainable enterprise, empowering 35 households with improved livelihoods and food security.
“We are seeing a great organisation of the villagers, upliftment of livelihoods; they are now able to provide enough food for their households,” he said.
“Nutrition here is immense, it is good, and no one here suffers from malnutrition on account of them being able to eat from this village business unit.”
Prof Jiri said the VBU generated US$4 000 from its maiden cropping cycle and was projected to increase this to US$ 7 000 in the current season.
“The Kasikili Jabula VBU boasts a diverse crop portfolio that includes okra, green pepper, carrots, spinach, chomolia, covo, garlic, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, watermelon and maize,” he said.
Prof Jiri added that the impact of the Presidential Rural Development Programme was important towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“We have our general target; there are 35 000 villages in this country. The target is to have one village business unit in each village,” he said.
“So that is what we are moving towards and those 35 000 villages must have a village business unit by 2030.”
Prof Jiri said the programme had already established around 5 000 village business units and there were plans to add school and youth business units, contributing to 50 000 hectares under irrigation and boosting production.
“It means, when we do this, we will have production all the way around, enabled by water and enabled by solar-powered irrigation,” he said.
“The initiative reflects the practical impact of the Presidential Rural Development Programme in action and constitutes a vital contribution towards the realisation of Vision 2030, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity, village by village.”
“This is a manifestation of the mantra, ‘leaving no place and no one behind’. The critical role of the solar-powered irrigation system will enable year-round cultivation, bolstering household food security and raising incomes.”
Online Reporter