The 115th edition of the show held annually at the Show Grounds in Harare ran under the theme, “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry, and Community”.
We publish here an extract of Maricho Magazine (MM) discussion with Mr Leonard Munamati (LM), (then Acting Chief Director), Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, (ARDAS).
MM: The ministry has launched a number of Village Business Units countrywide, what is the objective of these VBUs)?
LM: As you may know, as a country we have a target to set up these business units in each village, in each of the 35,000 villages.
Currently, we have more than 400 VBUs that are functional, but already we have over a thousand that are at various stages that have been established in the various wards.
At the show, farmers to come through to the stand to learn about the components of a village business unit so that they can also go back to their farms, their communities and practice what they would have seen here.
We also showcased the good agronomic practices in terms of horticulture which we expect our farmers to be showcasing in their village business units in their communities.
So, generally these are established in the communal areas or in the farming areas and communities work together as a group in a village business unit. Government comes in to give the best agronomic practices and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) comes in to make sure that there is a business case in the business units.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) links the farmers to the markets. So, we have various stakeholders that come in to make sure that the village business units are a success.
So, a village business unit is fenced with a diamond fence and there is a solar-powered borehole to ensure a constant supply of water, there is also drip irrigation, so that the farmer can do horticulture and two fish ponds.
Just outside the village business unit, we also put livestock handling facilities to make sure that communities can bring their livestock there to get water and also to get feed and also to treat them if they need spraying or vaccination.
Therefore, in real terms, we are saying the village business unit should become the centre for development for the various activities in each ward.
MM: What is your advice to farmers or those who are in charge of the VBUs?
LM: The best way is we encourage them to look for markets. Do a market survey first before you plant your crops so that you know where you are going to be selling the various enterprises. You should also know the volumes that are required by the markets and know the quality that is wanted by the market.