The government plans to implement a village business unit model on 35,000 hectares of rural land to enhance food security and promote rural development.
This initiative complements other programs like Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which aims to increase crop productivity and ensure household food security through climate-resilient farming practices. The village business units, inspired by Israel’s kibbutz model, will feature one-hectare irrigated plots in every village, fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and self sufficiency.
With climate change leading to recurrent droughts, irrigation systems are crucial for mitigating devastating impacts and ensuring food security. Irrigation provides a controlled water supply, shielding crops from unfavorable weather conditions, and enables farmers to cultivate high-value crops, increase yields, and reduce crop failure risks.
The government aims to expand irrigation infrastructure to 350,000 hectares by 2027, up from the current 75,000 hectares, to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and achieve a strategic grain reserve of 1.5 million metric tons by 2028.
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In addition to Pfumvudza, the government is implementing various initiatives to bolster rural development, including the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Scheme, Presidential Rural Development Program, Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, Presidential Poultry Scheme, Presidential Goat Scheme, and Presidential Vision 2030 Accelerator Model.
These programs aim to improve access to water, combat tick-borne diseases, promote poultry farming, enhance livestock resilience, and transform rural areas.
By working together and implementing these initiatives, the government seeks to unlock the potential of rural communities, ensure food security, and build resilience to climate change. The village business unit model and irrigation expansion are critical steps towards achieving these goals and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions who depend on agriculture.
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