Gvt budgets US$70 million for village business units

 

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The government of Zimbabwe has allocated US$70 million to accelerate rural development, with plans to establish 10,000 village business units by December 2024, and an additional 1,500 units between January and May 2025. The initiative aims to stimulate economic growth, boost local employment, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in rural areas.

The funds will support a wide range of activities, including vocational training programs, infrastructure development, and the distribution of agricultural inputs such as vegetable combo packs, sweet potato vines, and fruit trees. These efforts are expected to empower rural communities, improve food security, and create entrepreneurship opportunities.

“This investment will transform rural livelihoods by equipping people with the skills and resources they need to grow their own businesses and increase productivity in agriculture,” repots have revealed.

The program is part of the government’s broader rural development agenda, which aims to bridge the economic gap between urban and rural areas while fostering agricultural productivity, self-reliance and improving standards of living in underserved regions.