By Flata Kavinga
Zibagwe Rural District Council (ZRDC), in partnership with non-governmental organisation Gender Links, has rolled out a series of income-generating projects aimed at uplifting disadvantaged communities in Kwekwe District.
Speaking to this publication Kwekwe, District Development Coordinator (DDC) Fortune Mpungu said the initiative is part of a broader local economic development programme designed to empower rural communities and drive sustainable growth.
“We are very proud. Zibagwe Rural District Council has embarked on a massive local economic development programme to empower the local communities,” Mpungu said.
As part of the programme, ZRDC has erected five poultry sheds at a combined cost of US$23,000. The sheds were built at Bonnacord Primary School in Ward 3, Wozoli Primary in Ward 22, Umelusi Secondary in Ward 23, Langton Primary in Ward 24, and Bembezaan Primary in Ward 30.
Gender Links supported the projects through direct procurement of 10 battery cages, 1,000 point-of-lay chickens—200 for each site—and 110 bags of poultry feed.
In addition, a piggery project has been established at Donjani Secondary in Ward 32. The pigsty was constructed at a cost of US$28,000, with 22 pigs (two boars and 20 sows), 180 bags of feed, and veterinary medicines procured to support operations.
Mpungu said the projects are already bearing fruit.
“As we speak, even the chickens have started laying some eggs and the communities are selling those eggs. They are benefiting immensely,” he noted.
The programme also incorporates renewable energy through the use of biogas technology. A total of 47 biogas digesters have been constructed across the district, each costing US$4,000, and are being powered by waste from both poultry and piggery projects.
According to Mpungu, the projects are targeting disadvantaged groups, including elderly women, widows, orphans and persons with disabilities. Communities have since formed cooperatives to manage the projects on a day-to-day basis.
Mpungu added that government departments such as Agritex, Women’s Affairs and Youth are playing a supervisory role to ensure the success of the initiatives.
“We are employing what we call the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. These departments are assisting communities to make sure the projects are well managed and that they continue to benefit them,” he said.
ZRDC and its partners say the projects represent a “game changer” in efforts to promote food security, job creation and sustainable livelihoods in Kwekwe District.
