Chronicle Correspondent
NKAYI District, Matabeleland North province, has embarked on a citrus fruit planting drive as part of efforts to enhance sustainable livelihoods and strengthening community resilience through improved food security.
Addressing Government representatives, development partners, traditional leaders, community members who witnessed the recent planting of citrus fruit trees at Gonye Primary School in Nkayi, Permanent Secretary for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ms Sithandiwe Ndumo Ncube, who was represented by Mr Kunashe Tavagwisa, Environmental Planning Management Officer, underscored the importance of capacitating communities to produce their own food, highlighting the impact of such projects on livelihoods.
“This initiative represents more than simply planting trees. It’s about creating sustainable livelihoods, strengthening communities, improving food security and building resilience for the future,” she said.
“Nkayi has great potential, and through partnerships between Government, development partners, traditional leadership and local communities, we can transform that potential into meaningful economic opportunities.
“The planting of citrus trees provides an opportunity for communities to diversify their sources of income while contributing to environmental conservation.”
The planted trees include 20 delta valencia oranges, 20 Thai pink guavas, 10 water berries, 10 mnyi, four mulberries, and four mtshwankela trees. Other tree varieties were donated by forestry commission, bringing the total number of trees planted to 108.
With proper support in areas such as irrigation, training, market access, value addition and technical assistance, Ms Ncube said the citrus fruit planting programme can become a long-term source of household income and employment.
“I, therefore, encourage our communities to take ownership of this programme. The success of this initiative will not only be measured by the number of trees planted today, but by how many trees survive, mature and eventually provide sustainable benefits to our people,” she said.
“I also commend our development partners for supporting community development and call for continued collaboration with Government to ensure that programmes such as this are properly coordinated, monitored and sustained,” she added.
“Let’s plant these trees today with the understanding that we are planting opportunities for our children and generations to come.
“May the citrus trees we plant in Nkayi grow strong, just like our communities, and may they bear fruit for many years to come.”
Among those who attended the programme was Zaranyika Zhou, Environmental Planning and Management Office, Mr Bothwell Mushanduri: Business Development Officer in the provincial office under the Ministry of women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development, as well as Mr Mzingaye Donga – from Dayise Tree Nursery.
