Kadoma – The government says the Rural Industrialisation Agenda is on track, with tertiary institutions spearheading the initiative as enunciated in the National Development Strategy One.
Universities and Tertiary institutions who participated at a Rural Industrialisation Conference held in Kadoma last Thursday believe they have made strides in implementing various projects which have improved rural communities.
The adoption of the Heritage Based Education 5.0 Model has made aspirations of rural industrialisation a reality, with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development having scored successes on that front.
“Universities have managed to put up agro-industrial parks as well as innovation hubs that have transformed various communities. We have set up processing plants that process fruits found in specific areas and this has created jobs and changed the face of the communities. Now, the focus is on the commercialisation of these products so that the same areas get to enjoy their local products as well,” research specialist at the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Ancila Nhamo said.
Bulawayo Polytechnic Principal, Mrs Chiedza Masanganise, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the sector’s critical role in skills development.
“As tertiary institutions, our area of specialisation is skills training and through this, we are providing expertise in the development of rural communities, be it in the construction of schools, clinics or bridges. We invest in human capital with the right skills, contributing to improved communities.”
According to ZBC online, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, outlined how the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Model has shaped the rural industrialisation agenda.
“Since making changes to our curriculum, we have reaped the benefits because now, several industries have been birthed including the Mapfura plant in Mwenezi, the Baobab Fruit Processing Plant in Mutare as well as the Mutoko Biodiesel Plant. These have created employment and improved the communities. Moving forward into the NDS2, we encourage universities to adopt communities so that they develop one community at a time.”
“As a government, we are in the right direction to achieve the rural Industrialisation agenda. We understand that we must roll out several rural projects to realise Vision 2030. Moving forward, we are expected to go commercial with the various products being manufactured. We have a lot of innovations that we have taken in our industrial hubs and we want to make sure that communities do benefit,” Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda noted.
The two-day conference enabled stakeholders to take stock of the implementation of the rural industrialisation drive as outlined in the NDS1 while mapping the roadmap for transition to NDS2.
