Story by Aifheli Mudau
Government’s drive to establish 35 000 Village Business Units (VBUs) nationwide is delivering tangible results, with communities in Beitbridge District reporting improved food security and increased household incomes.
More than 40 VBUs operating across the district are helping rural families move beyond subsistence farming by transforming small-scale agricultural activities into viable commercial enterprises.
At the Zwivhuya and Tshantswilikiti Village Business Units, farmers say the projects have improved livelihoods and reduced hunger in their communities.
“We are harvesting, but we sold as green mealies first and got some cash, and this maize that we are harvesting is for consumption,” said one farmer.
Community members say the projects have also strengthened social cohesion while creating opportunities for collective economic growth.
“This garden made us know each other as community members, and again we thank the government for giving us this opportunity as the Lutumba community to do farming using these solarised boreholes,” said a community member.
Another farmer described the initiative as life-changing.
“Since we were given the garden, hunger is now a thing of the past,” the farmer said.
Traditional leaders say the projects are creating a sustainable pathway to food security and income generation for rural households.
“We are so grateful to the government for the project because they are really assisting us as a community to get enough food and money,” said a community member.
Village Head for Lutumba, Mr Rodgers Sibanda, welcomed the initiative, saying it is easing the burden on rural families.
“As traditional leaders, we feel relieved by such projects because they are helping communities to continue making money at the same time getting food,” he said.
Village Head for Tshantswilikiti, Mr Tshamano Mudau, said the projects have reduced dependence on food aid.
“We no longer wait for relief food since we are farming our own food. Most families are benefitting from the project, and most families can send their children to school,” he said.
Agricultural Business Advisor Officer, Miss Comfort Manjengwa, said the impact of the programme is evident across rural communities.
“Since the coming of the VBUs in the rural areas, communities are food secure,” she said.
The Village Business Units form part of the Second Republic’s broader strategy to strengthen food security, build climate resilience and stimulate rural economic development through smart agriculture initiatives.
