malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has drilled over 1 200 boreholes in villages across eight provinces under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, which seeks to facilitate commercial horticulture in rural areas.
Twenty high-capacity borehole drilling rigs have already been procured for the programme.
Overall, Government plans to drill at least one borehole in each of the 35 000 villages in the country.
In Manicaland province, Zinwa has drilled 189 boreholes, while 178 others have been commissioned in Mashonaland Central. About 128 boreholes were sunk in Mashonaland East province, 138 in Mashonaland West, 268 in Masvingo and 131 in Matabeleland North.
Eighty-four have been drilled in Matabeleland South and 122 in Midlands.
Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said: “As of July 11, 2023, a total of 1 238 boreholes had been drilled countrywide.
“The boreholes, which Zinwa is drilling and equipping under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, form the anchor component for the establishment of village business units (VBUs) in the 35 000 villages in Zimbabwe.
“In addition to the boreholes, Zinwa is establishing, as part of the VBUs, a one-hectare horticulture garden and fish ponds.”
The VBUs, she said, are being formally registered as companies run by the local communities, with the assistance of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
“The Agricultural Marketing Authority assists the VBUs in securing markets for their produce.
“The local communities become the employees and shareholders of these VBUs, receiving a monthly salary and sharing dividends at the end of a trading period. Some of the beneficiaries are receiving dividends of up to US$3 000.”
Over 2,3 million households are expected to benefit from the programme.
The initiative is expected to increase rural household incomes by an average of US$2 000 a year.
Online Reporter