Innovation hubs spark Zimbabwe rural transformation

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rural industrialisation initiative is creating economic opportunities for villagers in Muzarabani, who are now earning income by harvesting and processing wild masawu fruits.

The programme is part of a broader Government strategy to promote rural industrialisation and devolution, creating local economic hubs, encouraging value addition, and bridging the urban-rural development gap. Similar initiatives in Mwenezi have enabled villagers to generate income from marula fruit, demonstrating the potential of indigenous resources.

In Muzarabani, the programme blends traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods to turn indigenous fruits into a viable livelihood. The Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) Innovation Hub, commissioned in 2022, has been central to these efforts, developing masawu-based products such as juices and jams.

The Masawu Value Addition Plant, currently 94% complete, represents a key milestone in the rural industrialisation drive. Once operational, it will produce masawu juices in several flavors, including masawu-baobab, masawu-tamarind, masawu-ginger, and masawu-honey, supplying local and national markets.

Villagers in Sohwe Village have embraced the initiative, protecting and harvesting the fruits, which run from July to November. Families spend entire days picking fruits, earning up to US$300 per season, paid directly by BUSE at local collection points. Previously, villagers sold masawu to traders in Harare, incurring transport and market fees, which the new local processing model has eliminated.

Residents have also incorporated masawu into daily consumption, livestock feed, and traditional beverages, highlighting its versatility and cultural significance.

BUSE Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said the project has transformed local attitudes toward the masawu tree, with communities now fiercely protecting them. "Families are collecting fruits from various parts of the valley and selling them to the university. The income they earn helps parents send their children to school and buy household essentials," he said.

The project has also generated employment opportunities for local residents, particularly women, helping tackle social challenges such as domestic violence, child marriages, and drug abuse. Workers like Ruth Marikeza and Prisca Muchina have highlighted how the jobs have empowered them and improved their livelihoods.

For the people of Muzarabani, the masawu tree has evolved from a seasonal fruit into a symbol of dignity, resilience, and rural economic transformation, embodying the Government's Vision 2030 goals for innovation-driven rural industrialisation.