IT was a weekend of celebration, impact and inspiration for Amanda “Mandy” Munyoro as the 2026 Women in Farming and Entrepreneurship (WIFE) Food for Life Festival drew a vibrant crowd to David Livingstone School in Harare last Saturday.
Bringing together women farmers, entrepreneurs, educators, students, development partners, agribusiness stakeholders, and community leaders, the festival highlighted agriculture as a key driver of economic empowerment, food security, and sustainable development.
Exhibitors included leading organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Zimbabwe Family Planning Association, private sector partners, and agribusiness innovators.
Attendees also enjoyed performances by acclaimed mbira musician and European Union Green Ambassador Mary Anibal, alongside interactive presentations by the Jasen Mpepho Little Theatre.
Opening the festival, Munyoro, the WIFE founder, described the organisation as “a mission rooted in empowerment, resilience, and innovation” saying for six years, “we have worked with women and youth, helping them unlock opportunities in farming, entrepreneurship, and life skills”.
She noted that WIFE has reached over 1 000 women and youth through community programmes, facilitated more than US$25 000 in projects via rotational savings clubs and implemented a sunflower value chain initiative supported by Mukuru.
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“Our goal is to transform potential into prosperity. Through partnerships, innovation and practical support, we are building stronger communities and sustainable livelihoods,” Munyoro said.
She added that the 2026 festival theme, From Soil to Plate: Women Powering Sustainable Food Systems, reflects the pivotal role women play in Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy.
She also introduced the AgCareer Fair, aimed at attracting youth to modern, technology-driven agriculture.
A key highlight was the Food for Life Indaba, which used Forum Theatre to explore challenges women farmers face, from access to land and markets to economic opportunities.
Participants were encouraged to be active contributors to solutions rather than passive observers.
Tendai Munyokoveri, assistant head of office FAO Zimbabwe, speaking on and behalf of Patrice Talla Takoukam, the UNFAO sub-regional co-ordinator for southern Africa and country representative in Zimbabwe, eSwatini and Lesotho, delivered a heartfelt address.
“It is a distinct honour to speak during the International Year of Women Farmers. This platform places women farmers at the centre of national dialogue,” she said.
“Women constitute the majority of smallholder farmers here and across Africa, yet face structural inequalities, limited access to land, financing, technologies, markets, and decision-making opportunities.”
She emphasised that empowering women is critical to achieving food security and sustainable development, noting that FAO supports women through climate-smart agriculture, farmer training, nutrition-sensitive programmes, value chain development, and digital innovation.
Cultural elements, like Mary Anibal’s performance, reinforced the festival’s message of empowerment.
“Through culture, music, and environmental stewardship, we can inspire meaningful change,” Anibal said, captivating the audience with energy and optimism.
The festival’s success follows closely on the heels of the Global Agribusiness Professionals Institute Agribusiness Excellence Awards, highlighting innovation, sustainability, and leadership in African agriculture.
Munyoro reflected: “This recognition validates our work at WIFE and strengthens networks that will help us upscale production and reach.”
Festivals like WIFE play a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s development landscape, bridging farmers, investors, policymakers, and consumers while promoting entrepreneurship, climate resilience, and value-addition across agricultural value chains.