BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – In an effort to inspire women to get into agri-business, 10 female farmers are set to compete for the much-anticipated Woman Farmer of the Year 2024.
The competition, which is set to take place on November 21, 2024, will be hosted by the Woman Farmer Foundation. The event, which will take place at Riders Ranch in Sidvokodvo, promises to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of women in agriculture.
According to Woman Farmer Foundation Communications Officer Teresa Mdhluli, after rigorous screening, the foundation has selected their top 10 finalists in both youth and adult categories, who will go head-to-head to showcase their skills and passion for farming. “The competition is not just about agriculture, but it is about empowering women to realise their potential as leaders and business owners in a traditionally male-dominated field,” Mdhluli said.
She said the Woman Farmer Foundation was proud to announce that after an extensive screening process, the top 10 finalists in both the youth and adult categories for the 2024 Woman Farmer Competition have been chosen. This marked an exciting milestone in a journey that began with hundreds of applicants, all of whom demonstrated incredible talent, dedication, and vision in the field of agriculture.
The Prize giving day, which would be held at the picturesque Riders Ranch on November 21, 2024, is more than just a contest, but it is a platform designed to inspire and empower women farmers to think beyond subsistence farming, according to Mdhluli. She said it aimed to motivate participants to recognise their potential not only as skilled farmers, but as business people capable of taking their farming practices to new heights. Through the event, Mdhluli said the Woman Farmer Foundation sought to encourage these women to transition from traditional farming methods into entrepreneurial ventures that could thrive in the modern economy.
The top 10 finalists, hailing from a range of backgrounds and farming experiences, will compete in two categories: youth and adult, according to the Woman Farmer Foundation mouthpiece. “These women represent the future of farming, showing the world that agricultural success is not confined to any specific gender or age group. From young aspiring farmers to seasoned agriculture experts, each contestant brings unique skills and visions to the table,” she said.
“The Woman Farmer Competition of the year is designed to provide women with the tools, support, and encouragement they need to transform their farming operations into sustainable, profitable businesses. The event also serves as a celebration of their hard work, resilience, and creativity.”
This competition, according to Mdhluli, was a vital part of the Woman Farmer Foundation’s ongoing efforts to reshape the narrative around women in agriculture. By empowering women farmers with the skills and confidence to grow their businesses, the foundation was not only enhancing the agricultural industry but also promoted gender equality and economic independence.
Mdhluli said Woman Farmer Foundation Director Sonia Paiva stated that the event aimed to show women that they were capable of achieving great things, whether it was through innovative farming methods or transforming their agricultural operations into thriving businesses. This year’s entry for the competition was 270 which made the director proud to see such numbers of interested people in the field of agriculture. According to Mdhluli, Paiva also thanked everyone for the courage, knowing well they would be competing amongst different famers. The aim of the competition is to operate on the principles of fairness, encouragement, and growth, according to Mdhluli.
As the competition approaches, Mdhluli said excitement was building among participants and supporters alike. The Woman Farmer Foundation’s commitment to fostering women’s empowerment in agriculture continued to pave the way for a new era of agricultural innovation and leadership. For these women, the event was just the beginning and it was a chance to turn their dreams into tangible, sustainable businesses and take their place at the forefront of the farming industry.
This year’s, Woman Farmer Competition promised to be a momentous occasion, celebrating not just the accomplishments of individual women, but the collective potential of women farmers everywhere, according to Mdhluli. “The Woman Farmer Foundation invites everyone to join in this celebration of strength, innovation, and empowerment, and to witness firsthand how women are changing the face of agriculture one farm at a time,” she concluded.
