Story by Wellington Makonese
VILLAGE Business Units (VBUs) are transforming rural livelihoods in Gokwe Nembudziya, driving a shift from subsistence farming to surplus production while strengthening household food security and incomes.
In Chitora area, the integrated production hubs have evolved into viable business ventures under the Rural Development 8.0 Programme, which targets the establishment of 35 000 VBUs nationwide.
Once constrained by erratic rainfall and water shortages, communities in the arid district are now recording consistent agricultural output, powered by solar-driven boreholes supporting one-hectare nutrition gardens and livestock projects.
The impact is already evident at household level, with average monthly earnings ranging between US$400 and US$500.
“The projects have led to the opening of ISALs. Our lives have changed. We can now farm throughout the year because of this water, and we are even selling some of our produce so that we get US$400–US$500. We buy livestock, and we are in cross-border businesses,” said a beneficiary, Ruka.
The VBU model treats villages as business entities, improving productivity while reducing post-harvest losses. Farmers are now able to harvest up to three times a year, compared to a single seasonal crop previously.
For elderly residents, the initiative has also eased access to water and basic needs.
“Before this project, we struggled to get water and food, but now we have gardens and income. We can pay school fees, support our families, and provide clean drinking water, beans, and maize. These systems make it easier for us who are elderly to draw water easily,” said 80-year-old beneficiary, Gogo Moto.
Beyond immediate food security gains, VBUs are nurturing a new class of rural entrepreneurs, with solar-powered systems lowering production costs and improving competitiveness in markets such as Gokwe Centre.
The initiative forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader Vision 2030 agenda, aimed at bridging the gap between rural producers and urban markets while ensuring inclusive economic growth.
