10,000 village business units are being set up, some of which are already operational, including about 50 in Murambinda alone, where independence celebrations will be held this year.
President Mnangagwa is set to hand over model village business units to beneficiaries during Uhuru celebrations.
The Cabinet directed the establishment of 10,000 business units by November this year, with game-changing projects being prepared to empower the economically less fortunate sections of society with women and youth among the beneficiaries.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxius Masuka last Friday toured some of the completed village business units, including one in Dzinga District Village No. 15, Buhera West Constituency where villagers praised the government for the project.
Minister Masuka said economically empowered villagers can now sell products and generate income.
“We must train our people to know that agriculture is a business. Agriculture can indeed enable transformation of rural livelihoods,” he said.
One of the villagers, Mrs. Gracius Magombo, thanked the president for empowering them economically. “I never imagined in my entire life that I would own a business with my fellow villagers,” she said.
“We have vast lands that are underutilized, but after providing a water source and drip irrigation facilities, we are left to shine.
“Next month, we should be able to start selling our products,” she said.
Mr Alec Maboe, a young man, said he was pleased that the government was keeping its promise to leave no person or place behind.
“The government has provided us with drip irrigation system which is commendable. Our president should continue on this path because we have been suffering from poverty in this area.
“Water is a scarce resource in these dry lands, so having sunny wells is commendable. Our lives will never be the same again,” he said.
Dr. Paul Tongwarara, one of the project implementers, said the goal is to establish 10,000 village business units across the country.
“The business units created are 38 and we are moving towards the deadline to set up 50 business units before the independence celebrations. Here in Buhera district, some of the village business units are already in use.
“We are not only doing business in Buhera, but all over the country, with business continuing in Gutu, Plumtree, Wedza and others,” he said.
Dr Tongwarara said rural development and investment was at the heart of the government’s concerns.
“The village business units being established are in line with the Second Republic’s motto of leaving no one or no place behind,” he said.
An investment conference on irrigation financing will be hosted this year to attract internal and external investors to provide the necessary momentum to accelerate the rehabilitation and development of irrigation and village business unit programs to ensure food security.
