Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s farming initiatives have been pivotal in promoting agrotourism, with farmers empowered through her Agric4She programmes benefiting both communities and industry as they took centre stage at the just-ended Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
As patron of Agric4She, Dr Mnangagwa has positively transformed lives nationwide through initiatives that strengthen food security.
An avid farmer herself, Mother Zimbabwe champions women’s crucial role in agriculture, spearheading programmes such as Pfumvudza4She, Livestock4She, Fisheries4She, Horticulture4She, Poultry4She, Neaps4She, and Mechanisation4She.
At the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, several beneficiaries showcased their produce, with exhibition stands displaying high-quality crops such as cabbage, onions, sunflowers, and traditional grains, including finger millet, sorghum, soya beans, and barley, allowing visitors to experience authentic farm life.
Agrotourism4She, launched by Mother Zimbabwe in May as part of the “From the Farm to the Table” concept, also played a key role in encouraging healthy eating by minimising the distance between harvest and consumption, as visitors were treated to fresh, nutritious, and high-quality traditional foods.
At the First Lady’s Amai’s Kitchen, a wide range of traditional cuisines were served, including nhopi, sadza rezviyo, brown rice, tsuro, zvihuta, mufushwa, goat meat, and braised oxtail, complemented by traditional beverages like maheu. The ingredients were sourced from Agric4She farmers, further reinforcing the link between women’s empowerment, agriculture, and food security, while also celebrating Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage.
Speaking at Amai’s Kitchen, Mrs Esnath Mbooma hailed the Agric4She initiative as a vital bridge between production and consumption. Mrs Mbooma said the quality of produce being used was testimony to the immense investment of time and expertise by the First Lady through her inclusive Agric4She programmes, which are bearing fruit nationwide.
“Everything we are using to cook goats, grains, and vegetables has been produced by women in our communities, even in the most remote areas, trained under the Agric4She programme,” she said.
“We are sourcing from the very women we are supporting, including Mrs Christine Taranhike, popularly known as Mai Chimuti. We also prepared our signature dish, Haifiridzi, which is found in all parts of the country, both urban and rural, and our visitors are greatly enjoying the relish.”
Visitors at the Agricultural Show also explored exhibits that highlighted sustainable farming, entrepreneurship, and innovation, creating a platform for networking and knowledge exchange across the sector.
Dr Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation’s top-notch mobile hospital and clinic, stationed at the Ministry of Health and Child Care stand, emerged among the most popular attractions at the show, particularly for women.
The facilities were oversubscribed, with hundreds of women screened for cervical and breast cancer free of charge. Doctors on site encouraged women to prioritise regular health check-ups, stressing that early detection saves lives. More than 400 people were screened: 92 for VIAC, 57 for Pap smears, and 26 were referred to clinics for further care. In addition, 200 women underwent mammograms, while 289 people were tested for HIV. The twin initiatives, the Agrotourism model and the mobile cancer screening buses, have further cemented Dr Mnangagwa’s reputation as a hands-on leader who bridges health, agriculture, and community empowerment.
Cultural tourism also took centre stage, with the Garden of Remembrance at the Zanu PF Environment and Tourism stand showcasing ways to preserve genealogy and heritage for future generations.
The memorial park allowed visitors to explore and experience unique cultural aspects, to learn, discover, and engage with local traditions.
The Garden of Remembrance enables future generations to trace and understand their genealogy. Environment officer Tatenda Makurira said the Garden of Remembrance was vital for promoting cultural tourism.
“It is key in educating the next generation, who would want to know what their elders used to eat, how they dressed, and their overall way of life that contributed to their longevity,” she said.
In her capacity as Zanu PF Secretary for Environment and Tourism, Dr Mnangagwa toured the garden, underscoring the importance of memorial sites in preserving genealogy and cultural heritage.
She urged that tombstones should carry historical records, including details of what past generations valued, ate, and enjoyed, so that future generations can learn about their roots.
The Garden of Remembrance gave visitors the opportunity to engage with Zimbabwe’s cultural traditions, with displays of traditional fruits such as masawu and mauyu long promoted by Dr Mnangagwa for their nutritional and medicinal value alongside wooden utensils, clay pots, and other cultural artefacts.
All the initiatives implemented by Mother Zimbabwe aligned with this year’s theme: “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community.”
