Mayorca Irrigation Scheme farmers embrace commercial agriculture model to boost production, value addition and rural transformation
The Mayorca Irrigation Scheme is demonstrating how organised farming can transform rural communities from subsistence producers into commercially viable agricultural enterprises, with farmers embracing a business-oriented production model to boost productivity, value addition and livelihoods.
The Portfolio Committee on Lands, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development toured the 76-hectare irrigation scheme, in Zhombe, to assess its operations and contribution to agricultural development, rural transformation and Government’s drive to modernise the agriculture sector.
The scheme has 76 farmers who no longer operate as individual producers but cultivate their allocated plots collectively as a single business entity, allowing them to improve efficiency, strengthen production and pursue commercial opportunities.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Felix Maburutse said the model highlighted the importance of shifting rural communities towards sustainable commercial agriculture.
“The Mayorca Irrigation Scheme is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when farmers are organised and supported to operate as a business entity rather than as individual producers,” he said.
Maburutse said the committee was encouraged by the improvement in farmers’ livelihoods, noting that such initiatives were critical in driving rural transformation.
“What we have seen here is that agriculture can become a viable business that supports families, creates employment and contributes to economic development. This is the direction we want to see across the country as we implement programmes under the National Development Strategy 2,” he said.
The scheme operates under the Village Business Unit (VBU) Accelerated Rural Industrialisation Model, which seeks to promote commercial agriculture, value addition and rural enterprise development.
Under the model, farmers are encouraged to move beyond the production of raw commodities and establish businesses that create wealth and economic opportunities within their communities.
Maburutse said expanding such initiatives would be key to unlocking the potential of rural areas.
“Rural areas have enormous potential, and through initiatives such as these, we can transform villages into productive economic centres. Farmers must not only produce but also participate in value chains where they can derive greater benefits from their produce,” he said.
The business unit is now planning to establish a wheat processing facility as part of efforts to increase value addition, improve profitability and contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s agro-industrial sector.
The proposed plant is expected to reduce reliance on external markets, create additional employment opportunities and enable farmers to capture greater value from their produce.
