Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
THE strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and China has culminated in the handover of the Zimbabwe-China Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Village under an initiative meant to empower smallholder farmers in Shamva district.
Zindi village has become the second beneficiary of the Zimbabwe-China Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Village, in a development warmly welcomed by the community.
The village comprises a solar-powered tapped water scheme, a poultry project and horticulture scheme which were handed over to 39 beneficiaries this Wednesday.
“We will establish plots and grow cabbages, onions, green vegetables and there are 16 households that are getting tapped water so they will benefit immensely,” a beneficiary said.
Handing over the demonstration Village, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding said the initiative which started in Zvimba targets to effectively uplift rural communities and improving rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
“I am fully confident that with the collaborative partnership between our dedicated Chinese experts and the hard-working residents of Zindi Village, we will see bumper harvests, improved food security, and enhanced economic resilience in the seasons to come.”
The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Vangelis Haritatos expressed gratitude to China for capacitating farmers indicating this will catalyse change.
The Zimbabwe-China Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Village is the second set up by senior Chinese agriculture experts who also provided training to beneficiaries and provided market linkages to improve the farmers’ incomes.
