At the center of this transformation is Tsitsi Machingauta, founder of the Women’s Farming Syndicate Trust (WFS), an organization that empowers women by turning Indigenous knowledge systems into market-ready products.

Self-sustaining farming: turning necessity into opportunity

Tsitsi’s entrepreneurial journey began with personal loss. After her husband passed away, she found herself raising three young children without access to formal employment.

“There were no jobs available. You go everywhere thinking you might find work, and nobody has a job for you,” she recalls. “But your responsibilities don’t stop.”

What she did have was knowledge - learned from childhood - of farming and living in balance with the environment.

«When I was growing up in the village, my grandmother would wake us up at four in the morning. We collected firewood, fetched water, and worked in the fields. We were always one with the environment.»

Drawing on this experience, and long-held community knowledge, women in Domboshava came together to process Indigenous fruits and forest products into teas, juices, powders and health supplements. The approach was rooted in sustainability: harvesting carefully, replanting trees and ensuring that natural resources were preserved for future generations.

«We are women. We maintain and sustain the environment. So we said - let’s do a give and take.»

Highlighting the contribution of women in farming

While the products were strong, recognition proved harder to achieve. Women’s contributions to agriculture - especially those based on traditional knowledge - were often overlooked, and access to markets remained limited.

“Our biggest challenge was getting a voice,” Tsitsi explains. “Being heard means you have space - space to access markets, to access finance, and to sit at the table when policies are discussed.”

To address this, the WFS launched a women’s showcase market, bringing together producers, government representatives, embassies and other stakeholders on one platform. What began as a local initiative quickly expanded as women from other communities joined:

«What we were selling was our story. Our culture. Our innovation. Our ability to use traditional knowledge to do something tangible.»

The initiative highlighted the power of collective action - and the strength that comes from women working together as a system rather than in isolation.

Promoting women entrepreneurship using IP

As the organization grew, Tsitsi began asking new questions: how could the women protect their identity, products and knowledge? How could they safeguard what they had built?

These questions led her to apply to the Women Entrepreneurship Program of the World Intellectual Property Organization. Selected to participate, she traveled to Geneva for training and mentorship - an experience she describes as transformative:

«It was eye-opening. It helped me see how far we’ve come, but also the gaps - especially around protecting what we are doing.»

Through the program, members of the WFS gained practical guidance on branding, logos and intellectual property tools, as well as access to expert mentorship and local legal support.

«The mentorship helped us reset and organize. We started asking: how do we build this properly? How do we safeguard our strengths?»

Equally important was the sense of solidarity.

«Meeting other women and hearing their journeys was inspiring. You realize you are not alone in wanting to be recognized and heard.»

Building the WFS collective mark

The WFS is entering a new phase of growth, supported by the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan) and WIPO. This support aims to strengthen the Syndicate’s organizational capacity and the sustainability of its business.

Under the project, two workshops are planned: one dedicated to drafting the rules of use for the collective mark, and another focused on practical engagement and implementation of the mark. The design of the collective mark logo will also be developed separately by the Syndicate. Once registered, the project will further support promotional materials - including banners, a digital catalogue, leaflets, labels, and packaging featuring the collective mark - as well as participation in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in 2026.

Supporting sustainable farming in Zimbabwe

To ensure compliance with food safety standards set by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and the Food Standards Agency, the project will fund the installation of a solar-powered borehole, providing essential access to clean running water. This investment will strengthen sustainable production, certification for local and export markets, and women’s economic empowerment. Essential production equipment, including sieves, digital scales, and grinding machines, will also be provided.

Protecting Indigenous farming and promoting fair trade

Working alongside Ms. Tsitsi Machingauta under the FIT Japan-supported project, Ms. Patronella Musarurwa plays a central role in guiding the Syndicate’s strategic direction.  She is the Board Chairperson of the WFS and a respected advocate for women’s empowerment in agriculture. With expertise in intellectual property, she plays a key role in protecting the traditional knowledge, innovations, and cultural assets of the WFS community, ensuring that women retain ownership of and fairly benefit from their Indigenous resources and products. She guides the organization’s work on poverty reduction, sustainable agribusiness, market access, and gender equality, while contributing to advocacy efforts to strengthen policy recognition and access to resources for women.

Scaling up support to Indigenous women in agriculture

Today, the WFS continues to expand its impact - supporting women to generate income while engaging in reforestation and environmental stewardship. For Tsitsi, perseverance and partnership remain key.

«Don’t give up. Take every opportunity, no matter how hard it is. And find people who share the same heart — they will carry you when you can’t walk on your own.»

She hopes that by sharing her story, more women - particularly from Indigenous and local communities - will gain access to the support they need.

Source: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ip-advantage/w/stories/empowering-women-in-agriculture