By Fanuel Chinowaita
Midlands – The Madhumeni/Abalimisi for Agricultural Transformation, widely known as Madhumeni/Abalimisi 4ED, has extended its footprint into the Midlands Province while expressing firm backing for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and pledging continued support for agricultural reforms aligned with the development agenda of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
The organisation officially launched its Midlands provincial structures during a gathering held at the ZANU PF Convention Centre in Gweru. The event was officiated by Midlands Provincial Chairperson Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge, who attended as the Guest of Honour and applauded the affiliate’s growing role in promoting food security and rural development initiatives.
Speaking during the launch, Chiherenge said the organisation’s commitment to agriculture and national development was encouraging, noting that the sector remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economic progress.
He described the affiliate’s work as an important contribution to strengthening agricultural productivity and improving food and nutrition security.
He also highlighted the evolving governance environment under the Second Republic, which he said has enabled broader participation by professionals and civil servants in national development programmes that complement government policies.
“In previous years such involvement was limited, but the current administration has opened space for citizens and professionals in Government service to actively support initiatives that enhance food security and national development,” Chiherenge said.
He urged the newly established structures to ensure their activities remain consistent with the principles and organisational frameworks of ZANU PF, emphasising the need for discipline and alignment with the party’s constitution.
Chiherenge further noted that the goals of Madhumeni/Abalimisi mirror the President’s broader vision of transforming agriculture into a productive and sustainable sector capable of ensuring national food sufficiency while reducing reliance on imports.
According to Chiherenge, Zimbabwe has already made notable progress towards food self-sufficiency due to the dedication of farmers and the increasing adoption of improved farming methods.
He commended the organisation’s nationwide structures for encouraging agricultural productivity and promoting the concept of treating farming as a business, a shift he said is beginning to deliver positive results within rural communities.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Madhumeni/Abalimisi for Agricultural Transformation, Peter Nyeredzi, said the affiliate would continue working closely with the ruling party in supporting Government agricultural programmes aimed at improving rural livelihoods.
Nyeredzi explained that the organisation’s activities are aligned with the country’s development roadmap under National Development Strategy 2, which is designed to advance the broader Vision 2030 agenda.
He said the organisation welcomed the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to extend President Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030, arguing that the proposal could provide continuity for ongoing development programmes.
Nyeredzi said the proposed amendment would help maintain policy consistency and reduce the costs associated with frequent elections, allowing greater focus on long-term development initiatives.
“This provides the stability required for long-term agricultural transformation and rural industrialisation programmes to reach full maturity,” he said.
He added that maintaining continuity in leadership would help accelerate the implementation of programmes aimed at modernising agriculture and strengthening agro-industrial value chains across the country.
Nyeredzi noted that a significant portion of Zimbabwe’s population resides in rural areas and depends on agriculture for income and food security, making sustained investment in the sector vital for national economic growth.
He said the affiliate would remain dedicated to initiatives that promote rural industrialisation, improved productivity and value addition within the agricultural sector.
“With agriculture forming the backbone of rural livelihoods, the transformation agenda must remain focused so that communities can fully benefit from emerging economic opportunities in the sector,” Nyeredzi said.
The establishment of the Midlands structures represents another step in the organisation’s expansion as it continues mobilising farmers and agricultural stakeholders across the country to support government-led food security and rural development programmes.
Observers say the growing presence of Madhumeni/Abalimisi reflects a broader national drive to strengthen agriculture as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation and the realisation of Vision 2030.