Government puts into play Drought mitigation measures for the rural population

By Andile Mvundla

12.04.24

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is currently targeting to irrigate 10 000 hectares of land as part of its rural development 8.0 programme that will also see the drilling of boreholes and establishing of Village business units, youth business units and school business units, as robust drought mitigation measures that will provide food, nutrition and financial security to the rural population.

To support the drip irrigation programme, atleast 10 000 business units will be established by November this year starting with dry areas in the country which include Regions 4 and 5 that is Matebeleland South, Matebeleland North and parts of Mashonaland East Province.

Acting Chief Director for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services ( ARDAS) Mr Leonard Munamati said the government is currently drilling boreholes and establishing business units that will see irrigation taking place, to boost the horticulture activities and the fish farming projects in the country, with the government aiming to improve nutrition and boost income at household level for the rural population.

“The target for us is to establish 10 000 business Units by the end of this year, and for us to be able to achieve that we are aiming to set up 1 000 business units every month with each business unit set to be allocated atleast one hectare of land with a borehole drilled at the site while in some areas fish ponds will be built to allow fish farming to be carried out,” said Munamati.

Mr Munamati added that the establishment of these business units will ensure strengthened food security and income generation by creating an opportunity for the rural business community to conduct business with well established markets in the country.