Rural development fund commended 

Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter 

The ZiG670 million set aside for rural development is a highpoint of the 2025 national Budget presented by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube last week, the director of the Zimbabwe Women Resource Centre and Network, Ms Thokozile Ruzvidzo has said.

Ms Ruzvidzo said the allocation should be anchored by capacity building of beneficiaries to ensure they establish sustainable projects.  

She said this during a post-Budget seminar for parliamentarians at the new Parliament Building. 

“A key highlight in the national budget statement is the proposal to set aside ZiG670 million to support rural development interventions anchored on value-adding and beneficiating agricultural produce, raise incomes for communities and ensure national food security at the household level.”

Ms Ruzvidzo said it was important to capacitate women and youths because, while most women and youth entrepreneurs have good levels of education, most lack sound business management skills.