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Elton Manguwo
WITH the rural development thrust now in full swing, 30 village business units (VBUs) have been established across the country, a development that will see farmers getting improved incomes.
In an interview yesterday, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the establishment of the VBUs will realise the full commercialisation of village gardens in line with Government’s “taking farming as a business” mantra.
“Some beneficiaries of the VBUs have since started receiving dividends while others are expecting dividend pay-outs of up to US$3 000,” said Mrs Munyonga.
Under the Presidential Rural Development Programme 8.0, ZINWA is set to drill and equip 35 000 boreholes in all the country’s villages.
The boreholes are the anchor component for the establishment of VBUs, which comprise a one-hectare drip irrigated horticulture garden, water storage reservoirs, fish ponds and where possible, orchards and poultry projects.
So far, 1 446 boreholes have been drilled across the country’s eight rural provinces since the commencement of the Presidential Rural Development Programme.
“These boreholes will also provide drinking water for the villages, as well provide water for livestock and dip tanks,” said Mrs Munyonga.
The development follows the Government’s emphasis on sustainable business models so that farmers can earn and maintain their farming operations.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) develops the business case for the VBUs and assists in their registration as formal companies while the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) assists the enterprises in the identification of markets for their products.
AMA also determines the crops that farmers can produce.
Mrs Munyonga said to date, the VBUs have grown an assortment of vegetables including rape, cabbage, carrots, onions and tomatoes.
The VBUs have proven to have a significant impact for the beneficiary rural communities whose lives are getting transformed in terms of food security, employment creation and enhanced income generation.
One of the beneficiaries and chairman of the Zunde village business unit in Mt Darwin, Mr Ngonidzashe Manyukwe, expressed joy over the programme.
“We are grateful for the Presidential Rural Development Programme and we welcome it as an important development.
“We are already looking forward to making earnings after selling the current crop,” he said.
The development of village gardens is part of the Rural Development 8.0 initiative being spearheaded by the Government to develop rural economies for the attainment of an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
Online Reporter