Newsroom

By Obed Makgoale & Tshifiwa Muifha

Women in agriculture were praised as most contributors to the country’s food security and economy growth during a seminar for women farmers at Tshipise Foever Resort, from 13-15 September 2023.

Over 100 women farmers in livestock and crop productions attended the seminar. Among them included stakeholders from various institutions ranging from finance, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), South African Women in Farming with the purpose of exchanging ideas, sharing the challenges including market access, funding, and networking, among others.

In his opening, Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) acting director for Vhembe District, Masindi Maripa had encouraged women to keep on keeping on. “We grew up knowing that the job of our parents is to grow crops such as vegetables. And for that reason, they were able to fight poverty”, said Maripa.

Various programmes that are tailor-made to benefit women in the business space were unpacked from respective institutions.

Nkhumeleni Livhebe, deputy director in Agri-business, LDARD presented on departmental overview and the agricultural economic outlook. Emphasis was on extension services which he said remains the core function that bridge the gap between the department and the farmers. He made it clear that they are responsible for promoting knowledge transfer and skills development as the foundation for equitable, productive, competitive, profitable and sustainable agricultural value chain.

Other programmes offered within DALRRD were presented by Mditsheni Mashamba, deputy director in Vhembe District included the Land Development Support, Cooperative Enterprise Development, Rural Social Infrastructure Development, Strategic Land Acquisition, Tenure Reform Implementation and Property Management.

Financial institutions also roped in their funding programmes to support women.