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Minister Chikwinya

Lisa Shirichena Herald Reporter
Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Nyasha Chikwinya has castigated the Women in Agriculture Coalition for holding endless talk shops without any concrete take-aways to improve the country’s agricultural production.

She was speaking at a workshop on ways to increase agricultural productivity held in Harare recently.

“I have heard you saying you need A2 farms. There is no need for that; even if you have one hectare, you can produce millions on it,” she said. “I no longer want to be called to your planning meetings, call me to see your produce at the farms. We want action which helps our country to grow. How can you lead if you are not involved in farming. You need to work as well,” said Minister Chikwinya.

She urged women to work hard to enhance the country’s food security situation. “We are not developing because we are not farming. It is now time for action and we want economic liberation for this country,” she said.

The Women in Agriculture Coalition had petitioned Government to help women access land, farm equipment and inputs. “Women at the moment do not own land, the means of production and they are the labourers, but they do not enjoy the fruits of their sweat,” said Ms Meamah Chitsinde, a coalition representative.

“There are many women that are involved in agriculture but they are operating in isolation so we appeal to the Government to capacitate women, train them in value addition and mobilise inputs for them.” The Women in Agriculture Coalition was formed in 2013 to give women greater voice on agricultural issues and programmes.