Promoting Pulses in Africa: Zimbabwe's Elizabeth Mpofu named Special Ambassador for FAO's International Year
An organic farmer herself, Ms Mpofu has worked tirelessly for the betterment of smallholder farmers and the rights of women.
Ms Mpofu accepted the nomination in a ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 4 August. (© FAO / Believe Nyakudjara)
In accepting her nomination as the International Year of Pulses (IYP) Special Ambassador for the region of Africa, Ms Mpofu stressed that the campaign to have pulses contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to hunger should involve women at all levels.
“Women are farmers, mothers, and caregivers who understand the nutritional needs of the family, and indeed of the soil on which the food grows,” she said.
Mrs. Mpofu is an agro-ecological farmer based in Zimbabwe's Masvingo Province. In addition to her farming work, she has held various leadership positions since the 1990s. Currently, she is a member of the International Coordination Committee (ICC) and the General Coordinator of La Via Campesina, an international peasants’ movement with a membership over 200 million farmers from about 164 local and national organizations in 73 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.