A transformative shift is underway in Zimbabwe’s rural landscape, epitomized by the Kasikili Jabula Village Business Unit (VBU) in Ward 55, Hwange District. Today, Permanent Secretary, Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, officially commissioned the VBU, hailing its innovative approach to agriculture, particularly the pivotal role of its solar-powered irrigation system in enabling continuous, year-round cultivation for the benefit of local communities.
This momentous occasion marks a tangible milestone in the Zimbabwean government’s ambitious rural transformation agenda, demonstrating a practical and sustainable approach to uplifting livelihoods at the grassroots level. Established under the auspices of the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP), the Kasikili Jabula VBU has blossomed from a one-hectare garden into a vibrant, productive, and truly sustainable enterprise. Its success directly empowers 35 households, providing them with enhanced livelihoods and significantly improved food security in a region historically prone to climatic challenges and water scarcity.
Under the adept management of Agriculture Business Advisory Officer Mercy Chikava, the VBU has already demonstrated its immense potential, largely thanks to the reliable water supply from its solar-powered system. It recorded impressive earnings of USD 4,000 from its maiden cropping cycle and is optimistically projected to generate a remarkable USD 7,000 in the current season. This financial success is underpinned by a diverse and robust crop portfolio, which includes high-value produce such as okra, green pepper, carrots, spinach, Chomoliuer, covo, garlic, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, watermelon, and maize, ensuring both market appeal and nutritional diversity throughout the year.
During the commissioning ceremony, Professor Dr. Jiri lauded the Kasikili Jabula VBU as an exemplary model of sustainable rural enterprise. He particularly emphasized its ability to thrive even in the challenging agro-ecological Region 5B, a testament to the effectiveness of innovative agricultural practices that overcome environmental limitations. He underscored that the critical role played by the solar-powered irrigation system is what enables this continuous cultivation, thereby bolstering household food security and significantly raising incomes for participating families, free from the constraints of seasonal rainfall.
The Permanent Secretary spotlighted that this initiative powerfully reflects the practical impact of the Presidential Rural Development Programme in action. He affirmed that such village-level interventions are vital contributions towards the realization of Vision 2030, fostering inclusive growth and prosperity, truly transforming Zimbabwe “village by village.” The commissioning of the Kasikili Jabula VBU stands as a beacon of hope and a tangible demonstration of “Food Security: Everywhere, Everyday,” made possible by sustainable technology.