THE Grain Marketing Board funded medical aid society, Agricultural Medical Aid Society (AGRIMED) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) as per custom recently at Aspindale Training Centre. Agrimed Chairman and GMB board chairperson, Dr Henry Mushonga headlined the proceedings accompanied by his board members and Principal Officer and Managing Director Mr Jabulani Dhlakama.
Dr Mushonga reported that the New Market Development strategy paid dividends during the year under review as Agrimed’s membership grew by almost 400 percent. “The Society’s membership grew by 392 percent in the year under review as the new market development strategy began to bear fruit. Strategic Initiatives to penetrate targeted provinces and districts during the year yielded a significant increase in membership despite the prevailing economic stability,”
He attributed the growth of membership to key partnerships that the Society engaged in. Agrimed has partnerhsips with farmers organisations such as the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) and the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU). Dr Mushonga said the membership growth drive was going to continue. “Membership from the Farmers Medical Aid Scheme surpassed the captive market membership for the first time. The year under review has highlighted the Society’s strategic growth intentions as possible and achievable. The membership growth drive will continue and the Board is confident the Society erase the deficit in future reporting periods, whose solution is new membership growth,” said Dr Mushonga.
Agrimed’s Principal Officer and Managing Director, Mr JabulaniDhlakama said going forward the Society will focus on improving revenue collection from new members. “Subscriptions collection will mainly be digital in order to reach the communal and farming areas the Society is targeting,” he said. Mr Dhlakama also paid tribute to the Outgoing Board of Trustees that was led by Mr BasilioSandamu. Dr Mushonga’s board include Ms Rosinah Hove as Vice Chairperson, Mrs M. Chinamasa, Rtd Col Dr S. Chigumira, Engineer S. Chakurira, Mr S. Dube, Ms M. Chikadaya, Mrs G. Machekera and Mr D. Chigogo.