daniel chigunwe
Midlands Bureau
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Agric4She programme is proving to be a game-changer, with more women contributing to food security while also increasingly taking agriculture as a business.
Agric4She, a multi-faceted programme, has become an integral part of farming in the country, scaling up sustainable food and nutritional security, income, opportunities for value addition and development of agro-business value chains.
Through the programme, Amai Mnangagwa aims at ensuring that women are actively involved in farming countrywide.
Agric4She was launched in November last year where the First Lady, who has a passion for the economic empowerment of women and marginalised communities, handed over inputs to women countrywide.
At the weekend, several women from Zhombe showcased their agricultural produce and thanked Amai Mnangagwa for championing the Agric4She programme.
Fifty-two-year old Mrs Sithabile Dube emerged as the best farmer for the last season and was honoured at the weekend for practicing best agronomic practices under the climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The award ceremony was held at her home in Zhombe, Midlands Province.
Mrs Dube said the Agric4She programme had changed many women’s mindset on agriculture.
“Amai’s programme has changed the way I have been doing farming for the better. We get inputs on time and this gives us the zeal to do our projects on time.
“I am happy that there are educational projects in the offing which have helped us to do the best agronomic practices,” said Mrs Dube.
Another beneficiary of the Agric4She programme, Mrs Memory Zondo, said the programme was proving to be a source of income.
She said the programme was also teaching women to be self-reliant while also upholding African culture.
“If you look at the way I am dressed right now, it is evident that I have drawn lessons from Amai’s teachings. I am dressed like a Lady because Amai always emphasises on the spirit of Ubuntu.
“There is no time to walk semi-nude as this goes against the teachings of Amai,” she said.
The First Lady, who was represented by the provincial director of Agricultural Rural Development Services (ARDS), Mrs Madeline Magwenzi, urged women to prepare for the upcoming agricultural season while putting into consideration, the issues to do with climate change.
“My wish is to see all the women getting enough inputs to assure a bumper harvest. Some places are hot. Let us consider planting traditional crops because they have the necessary nutrients for our health
“I also encourage you to try planting cotton as this region has favourable conditions for the crop,” she said.
Agric4She national coordinator Mrs Chipo Zishiri said the programme was growing by the day with more packages in the pipeline.
“We are very excited by the uptake of this programme being championed by our mother, the First Lady particularly here in the Midlands province. We have since come up with a masterplan to unveil inputs on time ahead of the season.
“Amai’s main goal is to ensure that women get empowered through agricultural activities. Very soon, we will be moving around ensuring that all farmers under the programme get the necessary support.
“Amai is saying no woman and place should be left behind under her programme,” she said.
Several women from across the province walked away winners after exhibiting exceptional agronomical practices under the Agric4She programme.
Online Reporter