Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
DALUMEHLUKO Processing Centre in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province is expanding its value-addition operations after receiving essential processing equipment from the Self Help Development Foundation.
This initiative has empowered group members to diversify their product range and increase productivity. The equipment, donated in September, includes a grinding machine, a peanut butter-making machine, a solar dryer and a weighing scale.
This machinery allows the group to process dried vegetables more efficiently and introduce new products such as white mealie-meal, small grain mealie- meal, samp, peanut butter and jam.
The group’s chairperson, Ms Aleta Ncube, said the equipment has been a game-changer for their operations.
“We used to process products such as vegetables manually. With this equipment, we have added new products like mealie-meal made from maize and traditional grains. Processing vegetables has become more profitable and helps us avoid losses when we have surplus fresh produce,” she said.
The group grows the raw materials for their products in their gardens and fields, ensuring a consistent supply.
Another group member, Ms Midiam Dube, highlighted the positive impact of their products on the local market.
“We sell our products within the community and in Gwanda. However, we aim to secure a dedicated workspace at the business centre to streamline production and sales. Our ultimate goal is to establish a factory to create employment for locals,” she said.
The project also incorporates youth participation to ensure long-term sustainability. Ms Dube expressed the group’s desire for a small irrigation scheme to increase their production capacity.
“These processed foods are vital, especially during droughts when harvests are poor. With better resources, we can process more goods to benefit the community,” she said.
The initiative has been transformative for women in Nkazhe. Senior village head, Ms Josephine Mpofu, said it has elevated women, providing them with income-generating opportunities and reducing gender-based violence linked to financial frustration.
“Women used to struggle to make ends meet, but now they are empowered and able to support their families. Today, these women have been economically empowered and they are getting income, which is enabling them to fend for their families,” she said.
“This has also improved their confidence and changed their mindset. Economic empowerment of women helps to curb some cases of gender-based violence, which occur as a result of frustrations caused by financial challenges.
Self Help Development Foundation executive director, Ms Cynthia Mukamuri, said the programme’s focus is on building self-reliance and fostering rural industrialisation.
“The aim is to ensure communities grow, process and package their commodities locally instead of allowing external players to exploit their resources. This approach aligns with the Government’s rural industrialisation agenda,” she said.
Ms Mukamuri added that the programme also aims to reduce poverty and food insecurity while ensuring women’s economic empowerment.
“We want value-addition groups to penetrate the national market and increase household income. By reducing extreme hunger and fostering financial independence, we’re building financially independent and resilient communities,” she said.
Online Reporter