The Limpopo Department of Agriculture (LDA) will this month, August, which is a Women’s Month in the country, bestow accolades to female farmers through the annual Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, previously known as the Female Farmer of the Year Awards. The change of the name of the competition is in accordance with the new mandate of the department which includes agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
The objective of the awards is to award female producers or entrepreneurs in the agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors. Whilst recognising female producers’ or entrepreneurs’ contribution, the awards also aim at increasing their visibility in these sectors.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the annual competition which has been instrumental in transforming the sector and introducing women to commercial agriculture. Being a tool of empowering women in the male dominated sectors, the awards will for the first time acknowledge the best female worker.
Female entrepreneurs will compete in the following categories; best subsistence producer, top young entrepreneur, top entrepreneur: smallholder, top entrepreneur: commercial and top entrepreneur: export markets. Workers will be awarded in the best female worker category. The LDA in partnership with the SABC will be hosting the awards under the theme:“working together we can do more”.
MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba and Premier Cassel Mathale are among the expected speakers at the event.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 11 August 2010
Venue: Bolivia Lodge (Polokwane)
Time: 16h30 for 17h00
For transport, Polokwane-based media houses may contact Mr Samson Mabunda at 082 889 3791
Enquiries:
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
