Women urged to take leading role in agriculture value chain

Peter Tanyanyiwa-Herald Correspondent

Women have been challenged to take a more prominent leadership role across Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain, as stakeholders called for increased access to land, finance and markets to unlock their full potential.

This emerged at the Women in Agriculture Leadership and Networking Breakfast Meeting held in Msasa today, where policymakers, financiers, agripreneurs and development partners converged to discuss strategies to strengthen women’s participation in the sector.

The event, organised by the Women in Agriculture union (WAU), ran under the theme “Cultivating Leadership: Advancing Women’s Influence Across Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Value Chain.”

Speaking at the gathering, WAU founder and national coordinator Mrs Olga Nhari said the union was already laying the groundwork to empower women through practical, community-based initiatives.

“WAU has already begun laying this foundation through the establishment of our Women’s Agribusiness Farm Hub, a place where women can learn, produce, innovate and grow,” she said.

She highlighted ongoing projects including piggery, horticulture and poultry initiatives, describing them as the beginning of an integrated model aimed at building sustainable livelihoods.

“The journey has started, and step by step, together with our partners and communities, we are building something greater than ourselves, a lasting ecosystem of opportunity for women in agriculture,” said Nhari.

She urged young women to seize opportunities within the sector, emphasising that agriculture remains a viable and rewarding economic space.

“To every woman here, especially the young women, agriculture is a space for you. Start where you are, use what you have and grow from there,” she said.

Nhari also called on private sector players and the Government to strengthen partnerships with women-led agricultural initiatives.

“When women are supported effectively, productivity increases, households are strengthened and communities thrive. This is an invitation to collaborate, to invest and to build together,” she added.

Guest of honour, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Jennifer Mhlanga, said the Government remains committed to dismantling barriers that hinder women’s participation in agriculture.

“Women have always been the backbone of agriculture, yet their contributions are often undervalued. As the Government, we are working to ensure women have equal access to resources, training and markets,” she said.

She noted that limited access to land, finance and markets continues to constrain women in agribusiness, but emphasised that policy interventions are being implemented to address these challenges.

“Our vision is clear — a future where women farmers are leaders in shaping agricultural policy and practice,” said Deputy Minister Mhlanga.

She added that Government programmes such as the Women Development Fund and the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank are providing critical financial support tailored for women entrepreneurs.

The Deputy Minister further revealed that women now constitute a growing proportion of beneficiaries under land reform and agricultural extension services, improving inclusivity within the sector.

“We urge all stakeholders, Government, private sector and civil society to invest in women-led initiatives and ensure equal access to land, technology and finance,” she said.

The meeting also featured presentations from financial institutions, academics and agribusiness experts, focusing on financing, value addition, policy influence and entrepreneurship.

Participants stressed the importance of strengthening value chains, enhancing market linkages and promoting innovation to ensure women farmers contribute meaningfully to national food security and economic growth.

The breakfast meeting, held in commemoration of Women’s Month, provided a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, with stakeholders agreeing that empowering women in agriculture is key to achieving inclusive and sustainable development.