Amacimbi processing plant for Beitbridge

Women and youths in Beitbridge district are set to benefit from the establishment of a Mopani worm processing plant after the government sourced funding from the African Development Bank for the project.

Amacibi (mopani worms) are an important source of proteins for the rural folk in the province and have been sustaining many families.

The Deputy Director for Community Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Ms Chido Tsinakwadi said in a bid to ensure that women and youths benefit meaningfully from the natural resource, the government through funding from the African Development Bank and support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will establish a processing plant in Beitbridge.

"The project will support the Mopani worm value chain," she added.

The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Province, Ambassador Aaron Maboyi expressed confidence that the project will have a significant impact on the livelihoods of the benefiting communities and economy of the province as a whole.

The initial beneficiaries of the project will be a group of 18 women who run the Rovhona Raita Mopani worm project in ward 4, Masthiloni area in Beitbridge.

Under the same programme, the African Development Bank is also funding various projects in Mutasa, Marondera, Lupane and Guruve.