By Maphuti Machabaphala
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) paid a visit to Ramahwiti project where it found amazing women who steer up the ship.
Ramahwidi farming projects is a commercial farm based in Mamahule residency, in the Polokwane Municipality area under the Capricorn District. The farm is a cooperative, established in 2014 and has a board of five female directors which is led by Sewela Thosago from Turfloop.
The enterprise farms various crops during the year, including spinach, mustard, beetroot, cabbage, green beans, and cocktail tomatoes during summer.
Ramahwidi has added an aquaculture in its farming activities, which is a new endeavour to the benefits of its produce. However, the use of water from the fishponds adds value in a form of substitute for fertilisers when irrigating crops. The enterprise is also home to 400 pomegranates fruit trees as the land often struggles with enough water supply to irrigate, therefore pomegranates are good substitute that requires small amount of water to grow and produce fruits.
The project absorbed 15 permanent workers, nine of those being women and six constitutes men.
The farm is Global (GAP) certified and have an ISO 2000 certification. With this recognition, two students from University of South Africa (UNISA) are currently undergoing experiential learning on the farm.
Employees often attend regular training sessions on pests and diseases control not only to sharpen up their skills but understand the consequences of putting consumers at risk.
Green beans plantation is ready for harvest.
