Harvesting Opportunities: Contribution of Watermelon Farming and Selling to Women’s Economic Empowerment in Rural Communities. A Case Study of Ward 18, Mwenezi district, Zimbabwe

This article investigated the role of watermelon farming and selling in promoting women’s economic empowerment within rural communities particularly Ward 18, Mwenezi district. Watermelon farming, recognised for its economic viability and nutritional benefits, serves as a platform for women to attain financial independence and improve their livelihoods. The researchers employed an interpretivist-qualitative approaches to capture the diverse experiences of women in the watermelon farming and selling. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 women entrepreneurs, selected through purposive sampling to reflect varied community backgrounds and direct observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data collected from interviews with women participants. The findings revealed that watermelon farming and selling substantially enhances women’s household incomes, enabling investments in education, healthcare, and overall living conditions. Interviewed women also reported diversifying their income and financial independence through the sale of watermelon by-products, which contributes to their economic resilience. This research highlights the potential of watermelon farming and selling as a catalyst for women’s empowerment, advocating for targeted interventions to address existing challenges. However, despite these advancements, significant barriers remains, including limited access to financial resources, inadequate training, and markets accessibility challenges. The study emphasises the need for improved support mechanisms, such as provision of agricultural extension services, improving access to market opportunities and access to microfinance. Therefore, this article recommended the need to advocate for policies that support women in agriculture, addressing systemic barriers such as land ownership rights, access and control of resources, and social norms that limit women’s participation in economic activities and gender equality in rural areas.