400 village business units now operational

Source: 400 village business units now operational | The Sunday Mail

Malven Mugadzikwa

OVER 400 village business units (VBUs), directly benefitting 3 500 households, have been established countrywide, with some presently generating at least US$3 000 per month.

This initiative is part of the Presidential Rural Development Programme, which seeks to install at least 10 000 high-yielding, solar-powered boreholes nationwide.

It supports business units at village level, schools, youth vocational training centres and chiefs’ compounds.

Each VBU is managed by a qualified Government agricultural extension officer.

Addressing the 2024 Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Joint Sector Review conference in Bulawayo last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said water was a catalyst for community transformation.

“To date, a total of 405 business units have been established across the country.  It is envisaged that these business units will bring about rural industrialisation,” he said.

The VBUs, Dr Masuka said, focus on the water-scarce regions 4 and 5, which have suffered livestock losses.

“The programme seeks to solarise 10 000 high-yielding boreholes into piped water schemes, with priority given to the water-scarce regions 4 and 5.”

He emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to address the ongoing water crisis, stressing the importance of rehabilitating existing infrastructure, building community capacity and fostering private sector partnerships.