Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
VILLAGE Business Units (VBUs) are emerging as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s rural transformation agenda by integrating irrigation, production and enterprise to strengthen food security and improve livelihoods.
In Rushinga District, families that once depended on dried vegetables now have access to fresh produce while generating sustainable incomes.
A beneficiary of the Dondo Village Business Unit, Mr Gumi Jonasi, said the project has transformed lives by creating employment and improving household incomes.
“We received this VBU through the President’s initiative and it has changed our lives. We were idle before, but we are now working and even employing others. We can now afford vegetables and meat, and we hope to remain united and continue developing this project,” he said.
With support from Agricultural Extension Officers, communities are embracing diversified farming, resulting in improved productivity and higher yields.
Agricultural Extension Officer Mr Lloyd Karichi said all 47 beneficiaries at Dondo VBU are benefiting from the project.
“We have 47 beneficiaries who all share in the proceeds from the sale of produce. We have planted 0.4 hectares of maize, 0.3 hectares of tomatoes and 0.2 hectares of cabbages. Once we harvest and sell the produce, beneficiaries will realise profits,” he said.
Twenty kilometres away at Nyanhowo Village Business Unit, tomato production is providing a steady source of income for 64 beneficiaries.
“We are producing tomatoes and the project is helping all 64 beneficiaries. We never had such opportunities before, but now we are earning an income and improving our livelihoods,” said beneficiary Mr Clarkson Nyanhowo.
Despite the success, water shortages remain a major challenge at Museki Village Business Unit, where declining groundwater levels are affecting production.
“Our biggest challenge is water. The borehole is 75 metres deep, but it is no longer producing enough water to irrigate the garden. Previously, we could fill a tank within four days, but that is no longer possible,” said Mr John Chamisa of Museki VBU.
Rushinga legislator, Honourable Tendai Nyabani, toured several Village, School and Youth Business Units in the district, saying the projects are progressing well and contributing towards the Second Republic’s Vision 2030.
“We are assessing Village, School and Youth Business Units, and the projects are progressing well in line with the President’s vision of an upper-middle-income economy. Communities now have access to fresh produce instead of relying on dried vegetables. We also need continuous training so beneficiaries can maintain infrastructure such as solar systems and electricity. Following this assessment, we will make recommendations, and by 2030 we want to see industries established to add value to produce such as maize, tomatoes and beans,” he said.
Village Business Units are creating employment opportunities for an estimated 1.25 million youths and women across the country while promoting agro-industrialisation and accelerating rural development.
