Royal Agricultural University collaborates with the Women's University in Africa
8 April 2025
A special partnership designed to specifically benefit and empower women farmers in Zimbabwe has been launched by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).
The new collaboration, which is being led by RAU Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Technology Dr Patricia Mathabe, the Cirencester-based university is working with the Women's University in Africa (WUA), in Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare, to develop a one-year Foundation Certificate in Horticulture and Agriculture.
Members of the RAU’s senior leadership team, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery, were honoured to recently host a delegation from the Embassy of Zimbabwe in London, headed by Deputy Ambassador Mr Levi Upenyu Mukono, to officially launch the new partnership.
Dr Mathabe, who is South African, said: “‘Women in Sub-Saharan Africa play a very crucial role in both agriculture and horticulture and their contributions form the backbone of food production and economic stability.
“Women are not only the primary food producers but also the key managers of household food security, ensuring that families are well fed. Their involvement extends to various stages of agricultural production, from planting and cultivating crops to harvesting and selling.
“Beyond food production, women also contribute to various agro-based industries, including the processing of agricultural products such as oils, flour, and beverages. These activities help reduce post-harvest losses but also create local employment opportunities and contribute to rural economies.
“However, women’s access to these markets is often restricted by challenges such as limited land, technology, and education, which restricts their full potential in transforming agriculture and horticulture into more profitable and sustainable enterprises.
“This initiative between the RAU and the WUA seeks to empower women through agricultural and horticultural education.”
The Zimbabwean Embassy has pledged its support for the development of the programme and the visit of the Deputy Ambassador marked a significant milestone since the discussions first began.
RAU Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor David Main added: “We have a long track record of welcoming Zimbabwean students to Cirencester and are delighted to now be working with partners in Zimbabwe to explore this ambitious plan to support women in agricultural and horticultural careers.
“Using a combination of online and in person teaching, this initiative will enable us to offer a qualification for young women based in Harare.
“The horticultural sector in Zimbabwe is developing rapidly and this programme is pleased to be in collaboration with industry partners that are actively exporting products to the UK market.
“By focusing on attributes that are valued by employers such as professional approach, technically skilled, sustainable mindset and innovative thinking this programme will have a transformative effect on many lives.”
As well as the formal discussions, some of the RAU’s students and staff from Zimbabwe also had the opportunity to meet the Deputy Ambassador and other members of the delegation.