Chronicle Editor
Nothando Zondo, Sunday News Reporter
COMMUNITIES in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province are poised to benefit from the Presidential Horticultural Programme, which aims to expand the number of Village Business Units (VBUs) along the Mtshabezi pipeline by the end of this month.
VBUs are registered rural development enterprises equipped with one-hectare plots with irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure to produce products that are sold in ready markets.
The programme, inaugurated by President Mnangagwa in December 2021, is being executed by various Government entities including Zinwa, AFC Bank, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), Agritex and the Department of Irrigation.
The district Agritex officer for Umzingwane, Mr Bhekilizwe Ncube, told Sunday News that the Government plans to establish five more nutritional gardens along the Mtshabezi pipeline, with two already operational.
“We are in the process of setting up five additional nutritional gardens, in addition to the existing ones in Kumbudzi and Zidlabusuku. We have identified five locations in Wards 5, 6 (2), 4 and 12 where pipes will be connected from the main pipeline to the gardens,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the sites have been identified and visited while people have been mobilised for land preparation where Zinwa will collaborate with Agritex to implement the plan, with each garden covering one hectare.
“As per the plan, these gardens should be fully operational by the end of the month. The Government will supply fencing material, drip lines and piping for the gardens, while the community will provide labour and inputs. Each garden is expected to benefit around 4 000 households,” said Mr Ncube.
He emphasised that the establishment of the nutritional gardens will significantly alleviate poverty and enhance the livelihoods of people affected by El Nino-induced drought, eventually improving the district’s economic status.
“These horticulture gardens will include watering facilities for cattle to prevent livestock losses through drought as well as cases where livestock is trapped in the mud while looking for water,” he said.
Mr Ncube also mentioned that other organisations, including World Vision, Caritas, and the Community Technology Development Organisation (CTDO), were collaborating with the Government to enhance food security in the district.
“Each organisation is set to establish four gardens, with CTDO and Caritas planning to set up one garden per ward, equipped with solarised boreholes, storage reservoirs and drip lines. World Vision’s plans for establishing of gardens are still being surveyed to determine their locations.”
He, however, acknowledged challenges related to community disputes within the existing gardens leading to some individuals withdrawing. He expressed hope that such issues will not arise with the new establishments.
Under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, Zinwa is set to establish 3 5000 VBUs, whose components include a solar-powered borehole, a one-hectare drip irrigated horticulture project, water storage reservoirs, fish ponds, communal water points and where possible, orchards and poultry projects.
“Following the establishment of the horticultural component, other additional projects such as fish ponds will also be set up,” said. Mr Ncube.
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