Story by Providence Maraneli
A farmer in Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province, has transformed his ancestral homestead into a thriving agro-tourism hub, showcasing the impact of rural industrialisation and diaspora investment.
The property, located in the Wanezi area, now features a modern milk parlour, a 34kV solar system, a flourishing citrus plantation and a piggery project, developments that signal a shift from subsistence activity to intensive mixed farming.
The investment is part of a broader trend of diasporans channeling capital back into rural communities in response to government calls for citizens to drive economic transformation.
“We are on our ancestral lands, it is not a farm and we have turned it a hub of mixed farming, we are into livestock and crops. it has helped us a lot, we are close to wanezi mission and this is where I sell most of my produce, we also sell to rainbow hotel and holiday Inn, it’s helping us a lot. I work with the community to develop our area following the President’s mantra that ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo,” said Satenga Farm owner, Nkosibona Dube.
Officials say the project demonstrates how communal land can be converted into viable agro-industrial enterprises without requiring vast tracts of land.
“We have seen here that it is possible to develop your communal land into an agro-industry. What we are seeing here is an example of intensive farming and now the area has become an agro-tourist attraction. So you do not need vast tracks of land to be productive,” said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri.
Authorities say the rural industrialisation drive continues to support ventures with the potential to stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods in rural communities.
