eBusiness Weekly
Kudzai M. Mubaiwa
Will we ever see the rise of rural entrepreneurs? That most Zimbabweans reside in the rural areas is a fact most of us are aware of, 2016 reports from the World Bank indicated that a little over 67 percent, over half the total population of just over 16 million, are now in communal lands and resettlement areas.
Once again, Zimbabwe behaves against global trends which are rural — urban migration, but that is not the point, the point is that the economy should therefore be strongest where most of our people are, over 10 million of them!
The International Labour Organisation indicates in its’ publications that the rural economy holds significant potential for creating decent and productive jobs and contributing to sustainable development and economic growth.
They further state that it accounts for a significant share of employment and output in many developing countries but is widely characterised by severe decent work deficits and poverty, hosting nearly 80 percent of the world’s poor.
The promotion of decent work in the rural economy is key to eradicating poverty and ensuring that the nutritional needs of a growing global population are met.
This is recognised in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is set to increase attention towards rural development and agriculture and food security in particular.
In Zimbabwe attribution for the movement from urban to rural is mixed, some say the land reform program, others point back to Operation Murambatsvina when many urban settlements were destroyed, yet others simply say the tough times in the economy have forced many urban dwellers to seek alternative economic opportunities outside the urban areas with their high unemployment rates.
Quite interesting also is that many more relocated to the peri-urban locations, almost getting the best of both worlds; urban amenities whilst residing in a rural type setup.
That group is instructive and I recall a conversation with one such emerging urban entrepreneur who said they miss nothing of the urban area lifestyle because at their small plot they have put up all they need — water, power, roads, a solid internet connection.
They live off the land and only come into the city to meet clients, sometimes deliver produce (when it is not being collected) and access some public services like government offices.
All of this and the bonus of no air or noise pollution, and the good feeling that comes from local economic development — jobs for the community — what’s not to like?
In truth, the rural economy should in theory be robust and viable. The means of production such as land for agriculture and mines for mining is readily available there.
Raw materials for most manufacturing originate from these rural spaces, cheap labour is available.
Unfortunately rural areas tend to be underdeveloped, an ironic situation considering the wealth of resources they have. As some researchers have put it, rural or urban, entrepreneurs are people who create and develop enterprises and likewise “entrepreneurship” is the process through which enterprises are set up.
However, the growth and development of rural entrepreneurs are complex issues, which can be tackled by social, political and economic institutions.
The sooner they are established, the better it would be for the commercial development in the rural sector and the subsequent economic growth of our country.
Clearly rural areas should now be places of opportunity for existing and future entrepreneurs.
Young people, especially, should start thinking about returning as sons and daughters to their villages of origin — where just your family name can possibly secure you land to use; and usher in an era of thriving rural entrepreneurship, bringing the whole value chain to the provinces and stimulating enterprises in every sector — agriculture, tourism, services.
Once the rural economy comes to life it will make it easier and faster for social inclusion and poverty eradication to be achieved through access to information, finance, technology, health and education.
There is already empirical evidence of this — some that have ventured out have changed the faces of their communities, around every new business are positive benefits, each one has an ecosystem and in a small way becomes a special economic zone. Here are some of the key benefits.
Jobs are without a doubt the most important contribution! Traditional rural to urban migration was buoyed by seeking greener pastures, but rural enterprise will bring the pastures to those that seek them. Much of the activity that can easily be done in rural areas is labour intensive.
Developing industry there will certainly deal with unemployment in a huge way and raise incomes in the local economy. There is no reason why, with improving technology and innovations, value addition cannot be done on site.
Over time, the mere presence of thriving firms will boost the local infrastructure, better roads, access to power sources, better buildings for residential, health, and educational use and the services thereof.
Corporate responsibility can become much more meaningful as the enterprises empower their immediate labourer’s community in notable ways.
Most rural inhabitants are natural hard workers with a good work ethic, as much of their day to day work is manual. They know the value of work and should certainly get a reward for it as do their urban counterparts.
The rise of rural enterprise can enable growth that is balanced across the nation’s provinces, wards, and districts. Each of these geographical locations has unique value propositions and economic activities that can be brought to scale.
With growth comes development and this would spill over even to sectors that are not given much attention at national scale such as the arts and culture one. It is a fact that a large section of the bearers of traditional heritage and culture lives in rural areas.
They create artistically brilliant handicraft pieces and are equally good in the performing arts sectors. The age-old rich heritage of rural Zimbabwe, with its diversity of traditions and tribes can be preserved by protecting and promoting art and handicrafts through rural entrepreneurship.
Different types of food is grown, prepared and eaten in each area. With the opportunity of the internet, the barriers of marketing and selling tangible and intangible goods are removed, both locally and across borders to earn the necessary foreign currency.
Some have already started on eco-tourism and are making it work. It is the locals that provide services from cooking to cleaning and taking visitors on intimate area tours. We already know that some have ventured into agribusiness in many forms, particularly so horticulture.
Locals are there for clearing land, planting, tending and harvesting but must now equally be included in value addition on site. Instead of waiting to be allocated farms, possibly in vain, new entrepreneurs must think around the possibilities in their own rural homes of origin.
Equally so, government, corporates and the civic society must provide the support to make this happen. We will look into this angle in detail in the next article, as we recommend the institutions, actions and policies needful for solid rural entrepreneurship to become a reality.
Feedback : [email protected], Twitter-@kedukudzi.
