Mombe YaMai: Dairy Project Poised to Revolutionise Mudzi Women’s Economy

Mudzi’s “Mombe YaMai” project empowers rural women through livestock ownership and dairy enterprise training, blending tradition with innovation to boost income and gender equality in Zimbabwe (image source)

Mudzi, Mashonaland East — A transformative dairy initiative known as “Mombe YaMai” officially kicked off this week at Sajeni Business Hub, promising to uplift thousands of rural women through livestock ownership and agribusiness training. Spearheaded by the Nyahunure Community Organisation in partnership with Christian Aid under the In Their Lifetime funding mechanism, the project aims to establish Women Dairy Business Hubs across five wards, targeting 3 000 smallholder farmers — 60 percent of whom are women.

The initiative taps into Zimbabwe’s revered custom of “mother’s cow,” traditionally linked to dowry, to shift societal norms: cows now belong to women outright, granting them financial autonomy and social status. “It’s a powerful symbol,” project lead Mary Nyamayaro noted. “When a woman owns a cow, she controls her income.”

At the launch, beneficiary Grace Chikore described the impact: “I used to rely on my husband’s meagre earnings. With my cow’s milk sales, I’ll pay school fees for my children and build a proper home.” Her words echo the aspirations of many who see dairy farming as a pathway out of poverty. Dr. Elizabeth Maponga, an agricultural economist at Midlands State University, praised the model’s scalability: “By combining traditional values with modern market linkages, Mombe YaMai can drive inclusive growth and reduce gender inequality in rural economies.”

Each hub will offer technical training in animal husbandry, veterinary care and milk processing, plus access to credit and collective marketing channels. Coordinators emphasize that quality control and cooperative governance are vital to ensure long-term sustainability.

Local government officials also attended the event. Councillor Mutasa committed to facilitating road maintenance and water provision, crucial for transporting fresh milk to processing centres. “We’ll do our part to remove logistical obstacles,” he affirmed. Critics caution that success hinges on robust extension services and continuous funding. “Past projects faltered when donors withdrew,” noted women’s rights advocate Patricia Chanda. “This time, strong government and community buy-in must secure the gains.”

Nevertheless, early indicators are promising. Baseline surveys show participating women expect income boosts of up to 150 percent within two years, thanks to cooperative pricing and value-addition initiatives. As dairy cows begin to graze in Mudzi’s red soils, Mombe YaMai stands as a testament to innovative rural development — where tradition catalyses transformation and women lead the charge toward shared prosperity.