VILLAGE BUSINESS UNITS (VBUs) CATALYSE THE ATTAINMENT OF VISION 2030 THROUGH RURAL INDUSTRIALISATION\

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development launched the Rural Development 8.0 model aimed at eradicating poverty in all its forms, including food and water poverty through an “agricultural development-rural industrialisation-rural Development-Vision 2030 nexus".
Under the Rural Development 8.0 model, the government targets to establish 35000 Village Business Units by 2025.
The Agriculture Food Systems and Transformation Strategy acknowledges the strategic role of Development Partners in complementing Government efforts in the agriculture value chain to ensure food and nutrition security to the nation. As such, Development Partners are joining hands with the Government in establishing VBUs.

USAID Takunda Project is a 55 million 5 year ( October 2020-September 2025) United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) Funded Resilience Food Security Activity (FRFSA). The programme is being implemented by CARE Zimbabwe and its partners. The project established 92 VBUs in Buhera, Mutare, Zaka and Chivi Districts. A total of 77211 households are benefiting from the initiative.
Dumbuguru, a solar powered garden, located in ward 28, Chivi District in Masvingo Province is sustaining the lives of 72 households. They are persuing the cultivation of numerous crops such as Tomatoes, vegetables, green mealies, onions and butternuts.

The Permanent Secretary, Professor dr. Obert Jiri toured the Dumbuguru VBU in Chivi District in Masvingo Province today.
He stated, "Rural development must be led by Rural Industrialisation. Here we witness generation of income and improvement of livelihoods and ultimately leading to Rural Industrialisation".

He added, "The thrust that we have here under the banner of Rural Development 8.0 is to develop each village into a village that is self- sufficient interms of food and nutrition".