Staff Reporter
A new chapter in rural empowerment and tourism was opened yesterday as First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa officially launched the Agrotourism4She Programme in Mukoto Village, Buhera, Manicaland Province.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, aims to uplift rural women through agriculture-based tourism and value addition.
The launch took place at the homestead of Mr and Mrs Taranhike, where the First Lady was welcomed by hundreds of women, academics, tourism officials, and Government representatives.
Mrs Christina Taranhike, an Agric4She beneficiary, has transformed her homestead into a hub of productivity, offering poultry, dairy, traditional grains, citrus, and bee-keeping, among other activities.
Guests toured the well-kept property, which also boasts internet access and cultural preservation areas, including a “Garden of Remembrance” for ancestors.
The homestead is rich in indigenous flora and reflects sustainable living and family heritage, aligning with the objectives of the Agrotourism4She Programme.
Speaking during the event, Dr Mnangagwa said, “Our mothers and grandmothers did not know how the issue would end when we started growing traditional grains. I then started cookout competitions, and we saw many things, including the way these foods are prepared in different provinces but also showing the way the foods are consumed. I saw that these differences in preparing traditional dishes define our way of life, our norms, practices and values. This also brought to the fore the cultural aspect.”
She further explained the scope of the programme, stating, “Agrotourism looks at where we stay and what others can see from us. This homestead is awash with everything that defines a home, and even the trees she is preserving. So, all these are lessons that she is giving to other women and all coming from the Agric4She programme. Agric4She has spawned Agrotourism. We see people flying to tour other countries, but have you visited and seen what your neighbour has?”
Dr Mnangagwa also encouraged the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to work with rural women to promote domestic tourism through value-added agriculture.
She underscored the unique natural beauty of Manicaland, noting its tea estates, coffee, bananas, macadamia, and sacred mountains as significant tourism assets.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, hailed the initiative as transformative, saying, “Your Excellency, your visionary leadership in promoting traditional Zimbabwean cuisine, cultural heritage, rural development and inclusive Agric4She continues to set an example that is an inspiration to us all.”
Professor Mandivamba Rukuni praised the First Lady’s vision, saying, “The way she sees things makes us excel because she looks at the past where we came from as the people of Zimbabwe... This Agrotourism4She concept brings together many sectors, and that’s how great it is.”
He proposed the inclusion of the programme in the national curriculum up to PhD level.
As beneficiaries showcased traditional foods, baobab-based products, and indigenous grains, the launch signified a promising step toward rural industrialisation and women’s empowerment—anchored by agriculture and culture.
