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Tendai Rupapa in GWANDA

Women must intensify their involvement in agriculture to boost the economy and curb domestic violence, early marriages and drug abuse which has ruined the country’s youths, Agric4She patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

She made the remarks at the homestead of Mrs Regina Ndlovu (61), 70 kilometres out of Gwanda, which was adjudged an Agric4she Centre of Excellence in Matabeleland South Province. 

Mrs Ndlovu, a widow, rears different types of chickens that include road runners, Sasso and layers.

She also breeds Boer goats and has a piggery project, allowing for knowledge transfer to members of her community. 

At the homestead, the First Lady joined other women in feeding the chickens and applying tick grease on goats.

Agric4She patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa listens as Mrs Regina Ndlovu explains how she is rearing goats at her home and encouraging other women to embrace Livestock4SHE programme which was initiated by Dr Mnangagwa.

She distributed livestock seed for fodder used in supplementary feeding and a vegetable seed combo to the women. 

Under Trees4she, Dr Mnangagwa led in the planting of different types of trees including fruit trees before she donated some to communities.

In her remarks to the women, she said the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development treasures the progress of women, hence the establishment of Agric4She for their empowerment.

“Zimbabwe is well-known for farming and rearing livestock and it is one of the sectors holding the economy of the country. 

“Again, the Ministry of Agriculture has between 16 and 20 percent of goods that are exported, bringing in 40 percent of our foreign currency. It is therefore critical to observe that women have a great contribution in agriculture. 

“It was also seen that rural women boost the economy through farming. As a mother, I do not consider religious or political affiliation, I work with all women promoting the use of hands and those who form productive clubs that teach women are the ones I like to move with. As we progress, it will be pleasing to work with a satisfied mother who has left a satisfied family and everything becomes easy. 

“This also lowers domestic violence, child marriages and children taking drugs and as a mother I will be so happy. 

“When I go back I shall tell the President that this area requires food aid because I have seen the crops wilted.

“This is a low-rainfall area so you are encouraged to produce our traditional grains and I will humbly ask the ministry responsible to give us what is conducive for this area.

“I will also humbly ask the Ministry of Agriculture to provide livestock that conform to the area. 

“The Government is handing out 10 chickens per family and 10 fruit trees per homestead. 

“It is also providing does to every village. These goats allow for good meat quality and high milk production efficiency,” she said.

The First Lady implored all women to be part of all the Agric4She projects so that they do not lag behind in terms of development.

“I urge all women to be part of these projects. My wish as a mother is for us to work together constructively and teaching one another to build our families and not spend time gossiping. 

“I want to thank our farmer Mrs Ndlovu with the work she is doing here. 

“She is a widow and is doing exceptionally well in agriculture. She did not desert the home after the death of her husband and she is protecting the homestead,” she said.

“Madzimai, our children are ruined by drugs and my plea is for us to teach them the correct path to follow. When Gogo Ndlovu’s husband passed away, he left behind children and she involved them in farming which made them escape bad influences. 

“We are troubled by children who are taking drugs, both boys and girls. 

“But if we involve them in these Agric4She projects, it will help keep them from harmful things. Agric4She is a first-of-its-kind programme where we were given the place we rightfully deserve as women to carry the country forward, for that we are grateful. We are hard workers and if we are to enter the fields, women get in first as men follow and the men retire fast, leaving us in the fields,” she said in jest to applause.

“When I went around the country with the Male Engagement Programme, I was engaging men on various social issues. During discussions, they complained that their wives, us women, demand money too much from them and want niceties and perfumes. With these projects madzimai, let us work hard and make our money to buy all we want,” she said, triggering laughter.

Mrs Ndlovu said it was prudent for women to be part of the Agric4She programme which offered many benefits and helped people stay strong and healthy.

Agric4She patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa hands over trees for the Trees4SHE programme and seeds to women in Gwanda on Friday. – Pictures: John Manzongo.

“Instead of wasting time gossiping, we are learning new things through this programme. Rearing animals and chickens brings money to improve livelihoods and I am sure we can achieve much more by working together as women and accepting to learn new things,” she said.

She thanked the First Lady for visiting their village.

Mrs Yoliswa Moyo said she was grateful for what the First Lady was doing around the country with her Agric4She programme.

“I am so happy for the new experiences we are getting in farming because of our mother’s love. All these inputs we are getting are free of charge and this programme is a first. This is something that had never happened to us before. We are certainly benefiting a lot through working with the First Lady. We promise to make her proud by working hard.

“The programme will certainly end domestic violence as women now have their own money and can contribute something in the home unlike in the past when they relied on men for virtually everything,” she said.

Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mangaliso Ndlovu also attended in support of the First Lady’s Trees4She programme.

Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Abednico Ncube said the First Lady’s programme was good for development of the province and the nation.

“The Agric4She programme is spearheading the participation of women in agriculture. The importance and contribution of women in the whole value chain cannot be overemphasised and is greatly appreciated. With such programmes, no woman will be left behind.

“Women are the drivers of the economy. They contribute significantly in different sectors of agriculture. The Agric4She programme, which in itself is a critical milestone in the realisation of the various deliverables under National Development Strategy 1, could not have come at a more opportune time and the people of Matabeleland are elated and look forward to its successful implementation,” he said.

Minister Ncube saluted women for their hard work.

“Generally women are an important factor in food production and development of the national economy. We are very grateful to the First Lady for recognising the importance of women who play a major role in family welfare which includes the provision of nutritional diet,” he said.