By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
AT least 10 Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) Wards are expected to benefit from the Government-led Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP), aimed at improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
This was revealed by BBRDC Chief Executive Officer Kiliboni Mbedzi during a full council meeting on Monday.
The wards selected for the programme are 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Mbedzi said the project is co-financed by the Government of Zimbabwe, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), the private sector and beneficiaries.
She said HEEP seeks to support smallholder farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises engaged in horticultural production and sales.
Under the programme, each of the selected wards will have three Village Business Units, with up to 50 participants per unit.
Women will constitute 50 percent of beneficiaries, while youths and persons with disabilities will account for 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.
The project will also provide critical infrastructure, including portable water supplies and solar-powered drip irrigation systems to support sustainable production.
In addition, each beneficiary will receive 10 fruit trees as part of efforts to enhance household nutrition and income generation.
Mbedzi said the selection of water points will be subject to capacity tests to determine suitability for the installation of solar-powered pumps.
Speaking at the same meeting, Agritex Livestock Officer Cecilia Chakanyuka said Wards 5, 6 and 15 were not included in the programme as they are already actively engaged in horticulture.
The HEEP initiative, which is being implemented in four provinces and 20 districts nationwide, runs from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2031.
The project is expected to significantly improve food security, incomes and resilience among rural communities in the district.