Small grain farming viable: First Lady
FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has urged women farmers to venture more into small grains farming which are drought and disease resistant and have potential to enhance the country’s food security.
Speaking at the Midlands Provincial Small Grains Programme Launch for Women in Chirumhanzu yesterday, the first lady said due to climate change that exacerbated poor rainfall patterns in areas such as such Midlands, it was prudent for farmers to grow drought-resistant crops.
“This is a programme that I started in Mashonaland Central (province) and I will be going around the country encouraging women to take up small grains farming. Midlands naturally falls under a region which receives less rainfall compared to other regions, such as Mashonaland Central, and with climate change, it is possible to receive less rains.
“Experts have said the country is going to receive high rains from October to December, then low rains beginning next year until the rainfall season ends. However, I believe that if we plant small grains such as sorghum, which are drought and disease resistant, we will be able to enhance the country‘s food security.
The First Lady gave an example of a company in Matopo which is making breakfast cereals and cakes out of small grains. She added that it was important for farmers to take the issue of value addition seriously.
“It is, however, saddening to note that the impact of climate change undermines more directly women’s livelihood, which is predominately centred on agriculture which is rain-fed, leading to accelerated insecurity problems and heightened impoverishment,” said the First Lady.
“However, empowering the woman means empowering the whole family and community.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima applauded the First Lady for the initiatives she was championing towards women empowerment.
“A few months ago, you were here teaching women about inheritance issues and today you are back to empower them so that there is poverty eradication in this community. This project strongly supports the President’s vision of production and growth during the next year and going forward since production begins at family level.”
National Assembly member for Chirumanzu South Barbara Rwodzi described the First Lady’s small grain production programme as being in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063. She said the First Lady was also working towards achieving a number Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through poverty eradication and women empowerment. At the event, the First Lady donated 16 tonnes of small grains seed to over 3 000 women beneficiaries. She also handed over an assortment of groceries to elderly women in the area.
e First Lady also urged women in rural areas to embrace healthy and good hygienic practices to eradicate water borne diseases. She said rural women had the potential of attaining the same living standards as their counterparts in urban areas if they explore their potential in life.
“Women in the rural areas can also live in houses that are tiled and can have clean running water in their back yard if they are willing to work hard. We have a model house here in Chirumanzu, which is tiled and has modern facilities and it belongs to one of the women who resides in this place. Gone are the days when cow dung would be used in homes and huts, rural women can now also have the type of life that is enjoyed by their urban counterparts. This also promotes hygiene and healthy lifestyles.”