The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
The GOVERNMENT will initiate more programmes to enhance women’s participation in agriculture as authorities recognise the role they play in the sector.
Addressing farmers during the Hwedza District Annual Agricultural show recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera said, guided by the recent population census, the Government will empower women in agriculture.
“These (census) figures mean that if we invest in women, the vision set by our President to create a food secure nation is achievable. I promise you that we will do our best to make sure women are empowered for betterment of our national economic growth. We want to introduce a concept that creates opportunities for women and soon we will be having schemes like; Livestock for She, Poultry for She and Pfumvudza for She, among others.
“We have been doing that previously, but we just want to emphasise and rehash that demography of women because they constitute a larger percent in the country.”
Dr Basera said women are key drivers of the agriculture sector in many ways.
“Women are productive and whenever you see men succeed agriculturally, there will be a woman behind. Women are hard workers and productive and this is why as the Government we have come to a conclusion that women need direct empowerment,” he said.
Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank chief executive Dr Mandas Marikanda said the bank is committed to finance women’s projects in agriculture.
“We applaud the Government for coming up with such initiatives that are focusing on women to make sure that her piece of land can be viewed as an enterprise centre. As the bank that supports women we will play our part to provide funding to women in agriculture.”
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust founder, Mrs Depinah Nkomo said: “Women can drive the economy through agriculture. We are ready to be supported by Government. As women we have already initiated many programmes in agriculture but we welcome strategic interventions by the Government to empower us to do more for our country.”
