MILLICENT HUNGWE
CHIVI-The introduction of village business units (VBU) in the arid district of Chivi are proving to be a game changer as they are transforming livelihoods.
Villagers are now eking a living from growing a variety of vegetables for their own consumption and for sale.
Recently Chivi North MP Godfrey Huruva Mukungunugwa, who has become synonymous with development, launched the VBU at Mhikuro ward 10 in a grand field day ceremony attended by farming enthusiasts from the district.
The event showcased a flourishing 1-hectare piece of land teeming with an array of vegetables such as rape, tsunga, tomatoes, and maize.
The Guest of Honor, Masvingo Provincial Director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), Caleb Mahoya, commended the farmers for their dedication and hard work, aligning with the Government’s Vision 2030 to elevate the living standards of citizens from lower-income to upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Chivi, Naledi Maunganidze who is also the Youth League’s national secretary for gender and culture, who graced the occasion, praised MP Mukungunugwa’s tireless efforts in uplifting the community and acknowledged the visible impact of the VBU initiative.
Maunganidze donated plates, buckets, and dishes for the villagers, emphasizing the importance of community development and supporting President Mnangagwa’s call for 20% politics and 80% development.
MP Mukungunugwa expressed his gratitude to the farmers for their collective effort, from clearing the land to harvesting their crops. He highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, citing increased income, improved food security, and reduced drug abuse among the youth.
The MP also thanked the President for deploying extension workers to support the farmers.
“These VBUs have improved food security at both household and community levels. They have also brought people together, unifying villagers, and have led to access to income, water, and food,” said the Chivi District Development Coordinator Innocent Matingwina.
The Chairperson of the Mhikuro VBU, Fanos Tabe, thanked the President for his visionary leadership and the VBU initiative, which has brought about transformative change in the community of 54 households.
He emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort, noting that the installation of a borehole has improved access to safe water, enhanced food security, and unified the villagers.
Sekai Mabwe, a committee member at Mhikuro garden shared his testimonial, praising the MP and the President for their swift response to the community’s needs.
The farmer highlighted the positive impact of the borehole, which has provided fresh water for both humans and livestock, improving overall health and well-being.
The VBU initiative has indeed brought about a paradigm shift in the community, fostering unity, improving livelihoods, and demonstrating the power of collective effort and good leadership.
Mukungunugwa said his aim is to have as many VBUs as possible across the Constituency and they are working closely with the government and development partners to achieve the goal.
