Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
THE Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers has honoured a veteran woman dairy farmer, Mrs Helena Mitchell, with an award for supplying over 200 million litres of milk during 50 years of her operations.
An Oscar award is a famous gold trophy given for high achievements.
This award was announced at the ZADF 12th annual general meeting (AGM), which ran under the theme: “Driving sustainability, innovation and efficiency in inclusive dairy farming.”
The award came on the backdrop of the successful hosting of the 2026 World Milk Day commemorations in Seke that ran under the theme “Celebrating Women Farmers.”
The Oscar award to a female farmer was a befitting honour.
Chronicling Mrs Mitchell’s journey, ZADF chief executive Mrs Paidamoyo Chadoka said the farmer was born in Marondera to a family rearing livestock production.
“She actually got married into a family which was into dairy farming and that’s when she began her business from 1976 to date (a 50-year journey).
In her earlier years, she used to start her day at 0130hrs, with her baby to the parlour so that they could milk. At that time, she did not have a tank, so she would load 60 to 70 cans and drive to the Dairy Marketing Board (DMB).”
Mrs Chadoka said she would stop in the queue of the delivery trucks to sell her milk and, after sale, pick up feed and drive back to the farm, arriving at around 11 or 12 noon.
“So, for 50 years she has been supplying milk to Dairibord. This woman has cumulatively sold over 200 million litres of milk.
“All these 50 years feeding the nation of Zimbabwe, Mrs Helena Mitchell is our 2026 Oscar award winner,” Mrs Chadoka said.
Mrs Mitchell is the founder and owner of Mantlavina Farm in Beatrice, Seke, Mashonaland East.
The award winner said she has been exceptional in terms of coping with whatever life throws at her.
Though with her husband they applied for a loan to buy a farm and got it, when she applied alone it was rejected only because she was a woman, not because of lack of a sound business potential.
This narrative has since changed nowadays and women are now strongly involved in the milk value chain.
“The award is a huge honour for me; it took 50 years of toiling to get where I am today. I don’t know who identified and recognised me for this great accolade. The quality and productivity of my milk have improved very much to the current 8 000 litres per day.
“I am currently milking 319 cows at the moment and getting an average yield of 24 litres per cow per day.
“If I depart this world, I am confident that this venture will improve for the better under the tutelage of my grandson Ian, who is always on the farm with me,” said Mrs Mitchell.
Meanwhile, other women farmers also got recognition for their achievements at the AGM; among these are the Marirangwe women group, World Milk Day celebration host farmer (Mrs Pauline Hela) and best fodder production champion (Mrs Mercy Muchakwa).
Mrs Chadoka said under the sustainability champion category, green energy manual management was not something we read on the internet or in a book; Mrs Chenai Ndiyamba is actually practising this on a farm.
“Mrs Esther Marwa received an award recognising her for graduating from small-scale (she used to send her milk to Nharira milk collection centre), but she’s now a medium-scale farmer, a stand-alone and supplying to Dairibord,” she said.
Other women who received awards for their contribution to the development of the dairy industry are Dr Joyce Mujuru, Mrs Mercy Ndoro, Mrs Carol Smith, Dr Susan Savanhu, Dr Rachel Stewart, Mrs Eunah Makoni, Mrs Florence Zimbandu, Mrs Rosemary Mutemi, Mrs Pam Bauch, Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, Mrs Rudo Sithole, Mrs Lusy Mazingi, Shalet Mutasa, Mrs Sininesihle Nkala, Mrs Morley Chivaura, Mrs Samantha Chikwaka, Mrs Ericah Nyamange and Mrs Yemurai Mhaka.
Mrs Shuwiso Chatora, Dr Betty Muyambo, Mrs Olivia Kanosvamhira, Mrs Ayesha Mbulache, Mrs Rorinda Banana, Mrs Hazel Odeendal, Dr Dorothy Mangiza, Mrs Pam Taroodza and Mrs Angela Guvamatanga also received awards for excelling in different disciplines.
