15 000 women farmers empowered in Mat’land South

THE Agric4SHE programme, spearheaded by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa since November 2022, is reaping significant rewards in Matabeleland South province with more than 15 000 women farmers undergoing training in multiple crop and livestock production techniques under this comprehensive initiative.

Agric4SHE goes above and beyond mere training, empowering women to transform Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. Agric4SHE advocates for sustainable food security, better income for women farmers, and strong value chains in agribusiness.

In a speech read on her behalf at a provincial field day last week, Dr Mnangagwa drove home the core principles of Agric4SHE, highlighting the need for land ownership, essential extension services, adequate financial resources, production inputs, and both local and international market connections.

These programmes equip women with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in this industry, in turn, boosting their livelihoods as well as contributing to the overall agricultural growth of Zimbabwe.

“These initiatives will help achieve national food security by improving food security at the household level. Women have the mindset and capacity to implement these changes. The hosting farmer today has shown excellent mitigating strategies during this era of climate change. While other farmers haven’t had much of a yield, this farmer is smiling,” said Dr Mnangagwa.

“Farmers are expected to emulate any of these methods to mitigate against hunger at the household level. Through this initiative, Zimbabwe will achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. His Excellency has declared that no one should die of hunger, food security everywhere and every day, so play your part.”

Programme participant, Ms Rekopantsoe Nare, engages in several activities, including dairy farming, drip irrigation, crop leftover treatment using urea, and maintaining an orchard with 200 native fowl. She supplies milk to other villagers and the local Mawabeni Dairy Centre.

“I was an employee and later tried to venture into the motor spares business, but later decided to change and concentrate on farming because it is also a business. I started farming in 2011 with a few broiler chickens,” said Ms Nare.

“The event is designed to spread the message that all Zimbabweans, especially women, have a responsibility to ensure food security. The mother bears the brunt of food insecurity in households. I am confident that attendees have learned a lot and have been encouraged,” she said, explaining the goal of the field day.