RICHARD MUPONDE
THE Zanu PF-aligned Affirmative Action Group (AAG) has pledged US$120 000 towards setting up an irrigation scheme and 10 fishing rigs to economically empower villagers in Binga and Victoria Falls.
In an interview yesterday, AAG spokesperson Ari Goldstein confirmed the development.
“AAG wants to empower the remote areas and Binga is one of them. We will distribute the 10 rigs in phases in the coming weeks,” Goldstein said.
He said the beneficiaries would include women and youth, who will grow vegetables to sell in Matabeleland North province.
“We will clear 10 hectares of land that has already been identified. Currently all greens in Matabeleland North come from Bulawayo,” he said.
Goldstein said villagers would be taught how to value add in areas of fishing and tourism. Binga has been lagging behind in terms of development despite its vast potential, and recently the government set up a 15 000-hectare irrigation scheme at the Bulawayo Kraal which is aimed at transforming the district.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) has also entered into a joint venture with a local private company to put the 15 000 hectares of land under food and export crops as well as crocodile farming.
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