Story by John Nhandara
PARLIAMENT says the Village Business Units’ (VBU) project is a prime example of how targeted agricultural interventions can create sustainable livelihoods and build resilience in rural communities.
Drip irrigation facilities that have been put in place at Kubatana VBU, in Kadoma have proved to be a game changer for the community, which is now running a thriving income-generating project.
The initiative, part of a wider national programme to establish village business units, has empowered local farmers to cultivate horticultural crops, including during the dry season.
“The community is now relying on this business unit for water and farming,” a villager said.
“The community is now occupied most women and youths participate in this project,” a community member said.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is helping the community sell their produce.
“We have seen a healthy crop and we are pleased as a committee that the programme is reaching every place,” Legislator, Honourable Tichaona Karumazondo said.
”The programme has also empowered women. We hear AMA is assisting in marketing the produce, hence a ready market,” Legislator, Honourable Tsungirirai Rungwave said.
Elsewhere in Kadoma, in Windmill village, the establishment of a village business unit has cushioned community members from the effects of the El Nino induced drought.
“We harvested our first crop, bought inputs, and we have now put maize and butternuts,” a beneficiary said.
“We are sending our children to school as a result of this project,” a parent said.
Parliament believes the project is building resilience and guaranteeing food security in rural communities.
“If these projects are sustained, we will have food security at the household level,” Legislator Honourable Nyasha Batitsa said.
“This is a reflection of empowerment through agri- business,” Legislator, Honourable Joe Sithole said.
The success of the village business units is testimony to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
