Government has launched an agricultural business unit at Nketa High School in Bulawayo to promote tomato, cabbage and onion production as well as poultry projects.
The school is taking advantage of the three hectares arable land available to enhance the learning environment and provide valuable opportunities for learners.
Nketa High School head Levhuwani Muchemedzi said the arable land, however, needed fencing to protect the crops from thieves.
“Let me begin by acknowledging our incredible effort of cultivation of 700 tomato plants, 2 000 cabbages and 2 000 onions.
“We are awaiting delivery of 2 000 carrot and 800 vegetable seedlings. This has not only taught our pupils valuable agricultural skills, we also expect bountiful yields.
“These projects have contributed to scaling up the availability of fresh produce within our community.
“However, a reliable market is needed and this remains a challenge. Also fencing is needed to provide security.”
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minstry secretary Obert Jiri hailed the school for coming up with the strategic business unit.
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“This school business unit represents a significant milestone for the school and the Nketa community and serves as a testament to our commitment towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills among our students.
“The National Development Strategy 1 is aimed at making Zimbabwe an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030. It is through such initiatives that the nation can realise its aspirations and fulfil its vision,” he said.
Jiri said the projects would be vital for the personal development of the learners.
“The importance of having a school business unit cannot be overstated. lt not only provides practical learning experiences for our students but also instils in them a sense of responsibility, creativity and entrepreneurship by engaging in various projects within the unit,” he said.
“Sadly, the recent occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon has had a negative impact on our communities’ and education as a whole. The prolonged drought, coupled with reduced agricultural productivity, has caused immense hardship for our farmers and affected the livelihoods of many families.”
He urged schools to engage in innovative projects similar to the school business unit to mitigate effects of climate change.
He said the government was targeting 10 000 business units around the country by December this year.
The business units include Youth Business Units, School Business Units, Irrigation Business Units and Village Business Units.
These are aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, skills development and uplifting communities across Zimbabwe.
