Shun dependency syndrome, Zaka villagers urged

VILLAGERS in the arid Zaka district have been challenged to shun the dependency syndrome and instead start their own income-generating projects anchored on Government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.

Masvingo’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Dr Paul Chimedza said there was need for rural communities in arid areas such as Zaka to fully use existing water bodies and boost food production.

Addressing ZANU-PF members during a party inter-district meeting last weekend, Dr Chimedza said Government was prepared to release up to $10 000 seed money to communities willing to venture into income-generating projects.

He said Government had rolled out several programmes such as Command Agriculture and Command Fisheries that seek to make sure Zimbabweans achieve food self-sufficiency.

“One of my targets as Minister of State is to ensure that there is development in all districts across Masvingo province. Most rural communities find it difficult to put food on the table in times of drought, as they do not have other means of getting income. As such, the Government is set to fund rural communities so that we shy away from a donor syndrome,” Dr Chimedza said.

Government, he said, was prepared to establish a revolving fund that would be tapped by rural communities to start income-generating projects.

“I encourage you to form cooperatives and get registered so that we provide you with $10 000 seed money that will help you to start income-generating projects. Government, through Zim-Asset, wants to uplift the livelihoods of the citizens of this country.’’ Dr Chimedza emphasised the need to fully exploit existing water bodies to produce food under irrigation.

Government has since stated its intention to provide more resources for the construction of big and small dams, whose water will be harnessed for irrigation.