The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
EMERGING rural business communities are encouraged to take advantage of the US$7 million fund released by a development partner for them to contribute meaningfully to national development in line with Vision 2030.
In 2018, Organisation for International Development from Oil Processing and Exporting Countries (OFID OPEC) released US$7 million to be accessed by entrepreneurs in rural and farming areas in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland North provinces.
The main thrust of the programme is to minimise poverty through initiating sustainable large-scale entrepreneurial projects.
Projects that are mainly targeted for funding are animal husbandry, value addition, as well as savings and credit cooperatives.
Last week, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community Development and Small and Medium Enterprises, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, toured some of the projects in Makoni district.
She pledged Government support in ensuring that the emerging businesses are nurtured to grow into active players that can contribute meaningfully towards Zimbabwe’s quest to attain Vision 2030.
“Government values all those doing businesses in rural areas.
“Rural economic activities are integral in the development and advancement of the national economy.
“In rural areas there are abundant natural resources which can successfully be tapped to produce goods.
“About 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas, so the importance of their economic endeavours is appreciated. We are also calling upon every Zimbabwean with a piece of land and water to rise up to the occasion and produce.
“Rural entrepreneurs are performing well despite a number challenges. They are really doing well. As Government, we will continue supporting them so that they excel,” said Dr Nyoni.
One of the beneficiaries of the fund, Mr Peter Musimwa of Headlands, received a loan of US$48 000 and has ventured into fish farming.
He is optimistic that the project will succeed.
“My project is going on very well and I am sure it will succeed. I chose fish farming because very few people are venturing into this line of business, yet demand for fish is high across the country.
“We are breeding and supplying fingerlings to other fish farmers.
“We are also keeping some for consumption. My three-year target is to harvest two tonnes per month.
“ The grand plan is to have cages in my dam and migrate from these ponds,” said Mr Musimwa.
In Makoni district, three beneficiaries were selected and received at total of US$96 000 as loans.
Funds are still available and interested people are advised to apply for the loans.
