That is precisely what modern rural development policy should seek to reverse. This is particularly relevant to Zimbabwe because rural commercial development cannot be separated from finance. The policy should create Rural Commercial Development ZonesZimbabwe should establish a national Rural Commercial Development Programme based on economic geography rather than political patronage. Such a district could combine a supermarket, wholesale market, agricultural market, agro-dealer, warehouse, cold storage, bank, pharmacy, fuel station, restaurants, workshops, small offices, transport interchange, digital services and serviced SME premises. It needs rural commercialisation, rural logistics, rural finance and rural market infrastructure.