Dorcas Rumano

First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa today toured the International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Matopos, under the revamping small grains sector for food security and rural empowerment at village level initiative.

Whilst touring and appreciating the work done at ICRISAT, the First Lady concurred with staff at that research institution that there is no reason for bread shortages in the country when wheat is abundant locally.

Apparently, there is a 3 million investment deal at ICRISAT which aims at taking back the research centre to what it was 15 years ago. The research centre’s main focus involves training of scientists, small holder farmers and entrepreneurs. The knowledge enquired at ICRISAT is done to ensure that there is enough food security in the country.

Speaking during the same occasion, ARDA Board chairman, Dr Muntubane Nzima appealed to Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube to release a portion of his tax to fund the research institution.

First Lady has travelled the length and breadth of the country focusing on agriculture and food security issues as part of economic empowerment initiatives.

Amai Mnangagwa has also supported a number of women associations focusing on agriculture projects as part of their day to day living.

Apart from empowering women, the First Lady is also doing a lot of philanthropic work through her Angel of Hope Foundation.