In December 2021, President Mnangagwa launched the Presidential Rural Development Programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at accelerating the attainment of Vision 2030.
This programme is a hallmark of the Second Republic, seeking to advance progress through the provision of water as a right and an economic enabler.
However, its success hinges on effective implementation, community engagement, and addressing potential challenges.
This write up critically analyses the programme’s alignment with Zimbabwe’s devolution and decentralisation policy, exploring its potential impact on rural development.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme
The programme aims to establish 35,000 village business units and 9,600 school business units by 2025, focusing on rural industrialisation, food security, income generation, and employment creation.
Key components include:
- Drilling and equipping 35,000 boreholes by 2025, with a borehole in each of the 35,000 villages across Zimbabwe
- Providing drip irrigation infrastructure, security fences, and agronomy support
- Offering seed financing for cash crops growing, marketing support, and sweet potato vines to households
- Supporting fish farming and fruit tree seedlings
Devolution and Decentralisation Policy
Zimbabwe’s Devolution and Decentralisation Policy was launched in 2019, with the signing of Constitutional Amendment No. 20 on May 7, 2019, and the official launch by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on October 11, 2019.
The policy aims to:
- Empower local communities to take ownership of their development
- Promote participatory governance and decision-making
- Enhance service delivery and accountability
- Foster economic growth through local economic development initiatives
Alignment and Achievability
The Presidential Rural Development Programme aligns with the Devolution and Decentralisation Policy by:
- Empowering local communities through village business units and school business units
- Promoting participatory governance through community engagement and participation
- Enhancing service delivery through improved access to water, sanitation, healthcare, and education
Critical Analysis
While the programme’s ambitions are commendable, its success hinges on addressing several critical challenges:
- Effective implementation requires strong coordination and capacity building among government departments and local authorities.
- Sufficient funding and resources are crucial, but the programme’s budget allocation and resource mobilisation strategies are unclear.
- Community engagement and participation are essential, but the programme’s community outreach and engagement strategies require clarification.
- Addressing potential challenges, such as climate change and economic volatility, requires robust risk management and adaptation strategies.
Conclusion
The Presidential Rural Development Programme has the potential to transform rural Zimbabwe, aligning with the country’s devolution and decentralisation policy.
However, its success depends on effective implementation, community engagement, and addressing potential challenges.
By critically analysing the programme’s alignment with devolution and decentralisation policy, we can appreciate the importance of robust implementation, community engagement, and risk management strategies in achieving sustainable rural development.