Funded by the Global Gender and Economic Policy Management Initiative (GEPMI), linked to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the programme also offers agricultural and business training to rural communities.
Rudo Njiyakira joined the programme in 2012 and learned new and effective agricultural skills. She grows tomatoes and cowpeas under canal irrigation on her two-hectare plot of land, and sells her produce to hotels and restaurants in Nyanga. She also markets through farm shop sales.
“I was trained in sales by a marketing specialist from the department of Agritex, Barnabas Mutizwa. He encouraged me to take the time to sort through my own personal goals then develop a business plan,” Njiyakira said. With the profits from her enterprise she is able to pay school fees and uniform costs for her children and buy them extra books for home study. She has now set her sights on improving her farm shop.
“My next step is to make my shop more attractive to customers,” she explained. Njiyakira employs two women full time, as sales persons in her shop. She also hires labour from the community to do the planting, watering and harvesting of her crops. Her aspirations for the coming year are to connect with customers in the Southern African region, creating new markets and a recognised food brand.
Water harvesting
The programme coordinator, Brenda Nyakureba, said UNDP was supporting Zimbabwean women to improve their lives in eight vulnerable regions in the country. In Bumhira village, 20 women have embarked on horticulture projects and are benefitting from the programme.
“The women in the village engage in different types of agriculture – diverse crops, water harvesting techniques and alternative activities to generate income,” she said.
A small dam has been constructed to harvest rainwater, recharge the aquifer and irrigate farmlands during dry seasons. The dam is managed by the community. “The women’s lives have changed for the better. They have exchanged traditional thatched roofs and mud walls in favour of houses made of brick and metal roofing,” said Nyakureba, adding that one of the programme’s main aims was to build a positive and professional identity among women in the horticulture industry.
“We also want to connect women in horticulture through networking and communication and support them to build their business management skills and leadership capabilities. We want to raise the profile of the valuable role women play in the community,” said Nyakureba.
Lucrative contracts
Another horticulturalist, Netsai Saunyama (31) and her husband John (39), grow green beans, onions and grain crops in their four-hectare field. “We have lucrative contracts with hotels and restaurants in Nyanga and Mutare,” Saunyama said.
“The knowledge and experience that I have gained so far has boosted me in this business. It has enhanced my self-esteem and enabled me take my business to a whole new level. It is exciting to know that I and so many people have benefitted from this project. I want to encourage other women to develop businesses that can change their lives,” she added.
Belinda Hakurotwi (33) grows lettuce and rape on her 1.5-hectare field. She supplies produce direct to various hotels and restaurants in Nyanga, as well as to individuals in the community. “We need more energetic and enthusiastic women to get involved to help shape the future of horticulture. People who are excited about having a say, who are happy to share their ideas, and who don’t see this as a chore,” she said.
“As women involved in this programme, we have made connections with amazing people from across the country and learned so much. We share experiences, challenges and ideas for solving problems. The benefits of being involved definitely outweigh any costs,” she added.
Post published in: Gender Equality