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    VBUs spur economic growth

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    By Sharon Chimenya

    FOR Angela Muzenda of Ward 11 Chivi, being able to make money from their newly established Village Business Unit (VBU) and to access clean water has been a dream come true as the district is characterised by low rainfall.

    The Rubweruchena micro-irrigation scheme, which was established through the partnership of the local community and USAID Takunda is situated 18 km Northeast of Chivi Business Centre in Tagwirei Village.

    Chivi District is predominantly in Natural Regions 4 and 5, which are characterised by low rainfall and high temperatures, compounded by mainly sandy soils, which limit farming activities.

    The region is also subject to frequent seasonal droughts and severe dry spells even during the rainy season.

    Muzenda, who is the secretary said the garden would definitely see them achieving the President’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy before 2030.

    “I want to thank those of USAID Takunda, who came into our district to assist because, before we were struggling to make ends meet but now through this irrigation facility, we are now able to look after our families. Through this irrigation scheme we now have enough water for domestic use and for our livestock,” she said.

    “They taught us a lot of issues including those of gender-based violence and I can say the cases in our ward have dropped significantly because we are now busy with farming. Everyone is now occupied and it has not only opened opportunities to women and the youth, but also to people with disabilities,” she said.

    The Rubweruchena garden comprises 52 participants including 11 youths, who are pursuing diverse nutritious food crops that includes, covo, cabbage, rape, carrots and tomatoes.

    The cumulative sales from the garden as from June this year are at US$1 092 with each members getting an average of US$21.50 from sales.

    In June, they managed to sell their produce of 275 kg for US$275, in July they got US$320 from 320 kg and in August from 497kg they got US$497.

    Another farmer, Tavaziva, said through the project they were able to sustain their families with those from the surrounding communities admiring the progress they were making.

    “I am very happy with this programme which was brought to us by those from USAID Takunda through the vision of President Mnangagwa of Vision 2030. I subscribe to the notion that Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. Chivi is a dry area but through such initiatives we are able to produce enough food for our families,” he said.

    Takunda is operating in 450 villages across 23 wards out of the 32 Chivi wards.

    In Masvingo and Manicaland provinces, climate change has led to decreased food availability, reduced incomes and high malnutrition rates. As a result, the percentage of food-insecure households has risen significantly.

    USAID Takunda Project Director and Assistant Country Director for CARE Zimbabwe, Walter Mwasaa, said for the past four years they had been working towards accelerating the vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

    “Over the last four years, this project has been playing its role towards the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and significantly contributing to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.

    “The vision of the Government to achieve an upper middle income by 2030 will be achieved if we also work in our rural communities and ensure that they are empowered and food secure,” he said.

    Mwasaa said through the project, communities were generating employment and income through different activities that they undertake.

    “The United States government has given us another two years to be able to work with you as you continue to deepen the impact of this and many other gardens in the community. Our commitment is to work with you, with the Government, with the private sector to ensure that this project remains sustainable, viable, profitable and of income to each one of you.”

    Takunda, is a seven-year project with a budget of US$80.3 million and aims to increase food, nutrition, and incomes for more than 321 000 Zimbabweans.

    It aims to empower communities by creating increased on-farm and off-farm livelihood opportunities; supports resilience-building initiatives, specifically including women and youths.

    The project speaks to the move, by the Government of establishment of Village Business Units, which seeks to develop each village into a village which is self-sufficient.

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