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Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
LANDS, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, has urged Zimbabweans to believe in themselves and rally behind President Mnangagwa’s vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Addressing farmers, traditional leaders, and Government officials in Lubangwe, Hwange District, last week, Dr Masuka said the Presidential Rural Development Programme championed by the Second Republic was a transformative initiative aimed at driving rural development and achieving Vision 2030.
The minister, who recently toured Isla Farm in Lubangwe in Hwange to assess crop progress, said programmes such as the Presidential Rural Development Programme, Presidential Input Scheme, Food Distribution Programme, and the upcoming Presidential Solar Scheme are designed to uplift communities and improve livelihoods.
“This is the message from the President: let’s remain hopeful and trust that Vision 2030 is achievable. It’s not just about seeking job opportunities but about recognising the potential under our feet, which is our land,” he said.
Dr Masuka elaborated on the concept of Rural Development 8.0, which includes establishing village business units (VBUs) that create jobs and empower communities. He expressed optimism that these initiatives would encourage Zimbabweans working abroad to return home and contribute to local development.
The minister announced that President Mnangagwa would launch the Presidential Solar Scheme within the next three months, targeting solar power for every household by 2030.
“So, let’s remain hopeful, the President has a vision for us all. Under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, work is underway to continue drilling and installing solar-powered boreholes as one of the key drivers towards the realisation of Vision 2030,” he said.
Government aims to drill a borehole for each of the country’s 35,000 villages, with 9,000 earmarked for resettlement areas and 26,000 for rural communities. Out of the 100 required drilling rigs, 32 have already been procured, with eight deployed in Matabeleland North.
The minister said in the next three months President Mnangagwa will be launching the Presidential Solar Scheme where each household should have solar by 2030.
Dr Masuka said out of the 100 required drilling rigs, the Government had purchased 32 which are already in the country.
In Hwange District, seven VBUs have been established in Wards 5 and 15. Partners like the International Fund for Agricultural Development are supporting these efforts by drilling boreholes and facilitating the creation of village business units.
“What was promised during the election campaign period was not just a joke, it’s for Vision 2030, and we are implementing it,” Dr Masuka said, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the programme.
He explained that VBUs are comprehensive hubs featuring solar-powered boreholes, running water, drip irrigation systems, washing basins, and livestock troughs. These units empower communities to establish companies, plan agricultural activities, and access markets.
He said the Agricultural Finance Corporation Bank will assist villagers in opening bank accounts to facilitate wage payments.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, focusing on water provision as both a right and an economic enabler. The initiative aims to transform rural communities from economic spectators into active participants.
Access to water is expected to drive agricultural development, which will, in turn, spur rural industrialisation and broader rural development. This chain reaction is key to realising Vision 2030’s goals.
