Dr Divine Ndhlukula Named Zimbabwe's Top Livestock Farmer at Agricultural Show

By Southerton Business Times | Chikomba

Prominent businesswoman and livestock breeder Dr Divine Simbi Ndhlukula has been honoured as the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) Overall Livestock Farmer of the Year 2025, cementing her reputation as one of the country's leading commercial livestock producers. The prestigious award was officially presented by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka during a field day at Zvikomborero Farm in Chikomba District earlier this month.

Dr Ndhlukula had originally been scheduled to receive the accolade from Botswana President Duma Boko, who was the guest of honour at the 2025 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show held in Harare. However, the award was formally handed over during the farm visit, attended by senior government officials, agricultural experts and industry stakeholders.

As part of the award, Dr Ndhlukula received a Simbra stud bull donated by COOPERS Animal Health, together with the Overall Livestock Farmer of the Year trophy and certificate. The recognition follows an outstanding performance at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where her livestock entries dominated several categories. She won the Tuli Females Grand Champion Award, the Dorper Sheep Master Ram Grand Champion Award, multiple Reserve Champion titles and more than 20 certificates across different livestock classes.

Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) Chief Executive Officer Rufaro Gunundu said the Overall Livestock Farmer of the Year award recognises consistent excellence across all livestock categories exhibited at the annual show.

"The criteria for the overall winner is based on performance across all livestock classes exhibited. We aggregate the points from each category, and the farmer with the highest overall score is crowned the winner," Gunundu said.

Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Ndhlukula described the recognition as an honour and reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining high breeding standards.

"It is an honour receiving such an award showing that we are taking breeding livestock seriously. We are preparing to defend our awards at this year's Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, and I can safely announce that we will retain them," she said.

Established 34 years ago, Zvikomborero Farm has grown into one of Zimbabwe's leading livestock operations. The 500-hectare farm is home to approximately:

• 1,000 cattle

• 600 goats

• More than 100 sheep

• 5,000 broiler chickens

The farm has also achieved an exceptionally low cattle mortality rate of below two percent, a figure well below industry averages and attributed to sound animal health management, quality genetics and data-driven decision-making.

Minister Masuka said Dr Ndhlukula's success reflected years of investment, discipline and a commitment to excellence in livestock production.

"This victory is not simply the result of exhibiting exceptional animals. It reflects years of strategic investment, disciplined management, sound genetics and an unwavering commitment to excellence," he said.

He also praised the increasing contribution of women to Zimbabwe's agricultural sector.

"Farming is not a gender issue. Women now make up the majority of farmers in many rural communities. I encourage more women to claim their space in agriculture and commercial farming."

Dr Ndhlukula, one of Zimbabwe's few registered Tuli stud breeders, encouraged farmers to embrace record-keeping and data analysis to improve productivity.

"In business you must manage data. If you are working with data, you are on the right path to success. Accurate records have helped us maintain a cattle mortality rate of less than two percent."

Zvikomborero Farm currently employs 34 workers, with women making up 52 percent of the workforce, reflecting Dr Ndhlukula's commitment to gender inclusion in commercial agriculture.

Divine Ndhlukula