Story by Fungai Jachi
GOVERNMENT’S rural industrialisation programme is gathering pace in Mwenezi District, with investments in agro-processing, grain storage and skills development transforming the area into an emerging agro-industrial hub.
The progress came into focus on the second day of the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services’ media tour of Masvingo Province, led by Minister Dr Zhemu Soda.
The delegation visited the AI-powered silos at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Rutenga Depot, where officials said the facility is nearing completion and will significantly enhance grain preservation.
Supply Chain Manager at GMB Rutenga, Mr Kennedy Kabanga, said the silos are designed to strengthen national food security.
“These silos have a capacity of 56 000 metric tonnes and grain is going to be safe because moisture will be controlled. They can store grain for up to five years.”
The tour also took the delegation to a multipurpose centre where young people are receiving vocational skills training aimed at improving employment opportunities.
“We are grateful that now we are getting skills training because we are now employable. We used to go to South Africa to find employment, but now we have skills that are helping us to work in our own country,” a youth trainee said.
The centre also processes sesame and other crops, with SAT Project Manager Mr Englebert Dzimbanhete saying production has risen sharply.
“Our production for sesame as well as other different value chains that we have has significantly gone up. We started at 21 metric tonnes for the 2023-24 season; last year we are talking of 400 metric tonnes and now we want to push to 600 metric tonnes.”
Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, said the projects are delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
“What we are witnessing here is our aspirations coming alive. Local farmers are benefitting from this plant as they have a ready market and are getting assistance in terms of exports, which is improving livelihoods, creating jobs and changing the face of Mwenezi.”
Dr Soda said the projects demonstrate the practical impact of the rural industrialisation programme.
“It is very impressive because rural industrialisation is being realised. The AI-powered silos are helping in terms of grain preservation which means food security and at the sesame processing plant we see value addition.
The farmers already have a ready market and exports are guaranteed. This is evidence that Vision 2030 is attainable.”
Government says investments in value addition, modern storage infrastructure and skills development are positioning districts such as Mwenezi as key drivers of rural industrialisation and economic growth.
