The Department of Agriculture in Limpopo is known for empowering and recognising women, the young and the disabled through empowerment, competitions and awards. The year 2010 is no exception in that the MEC, Mme Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba will during the month of the youth (June), award exceptional youth in farming and through the month of August, during Women’s Month go on to recognises entrepreneurial skills in women.
Workshops are already happening in the different districts of Limpopo on the two lucrative awards officially called; Young Aspirant Farmer of the Year Awards 2010 and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2010.
The Young Aspirant Farmer of the Year Awards are supposed to be held in June, during the Youth Month, but because of the FIFA World Cup happening in Mzansi, the award will in all probability happen after the last game in July 2010. Categories in the award include:
* top producer for national/export markets
* top producer for informal markets
* top producer for household consumption ( backyard)
* top secondary school on agriculture and
* top primary school in agriculture.
Each district is expected to submit winners based on these categories accompanied by:
* profiles and motivations
* five minutes video footage on VHS or DVD
* a still photograph.
The closing date for districts to submit winners to head office in Polokwane is 28 May 2010. Workshops on all districts are being finalised this week, and the prizes range from R300 000 cash prize to about R40 000 for a second runner up, which is the lowest at provincial level. Districts awards will take place from 31 May to 11 June 2010. The provincial award will take place immediately after FIFA World Cup in July 2010.
The Female Entrepreneur Award 2010 is a national award during the month of August, but the organisation of it starts from provinces and have already kick started. This year’s award will also recognise farm workers, forestry and fisheries workers.
The categories will include subsistence, top entrepreneur (smallholder); top entrepreneur (commercial); top entrepreneur (export markets; and overall winner.
Provincial nominations close on 30 June 2010 and provinces submit their nominees to the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries by 31 July 2010. The Limpopo Female Entrepreneur Award will take place on 14 August 2010 at a venue to be decided, whereas the national event takes place in Port Elizabeth on 21 August 2010. Prizes are mouth-watering and include more than R250 000 CASP support and two international food and beverage, or forestry or fisheries expos worth R300 000.
All interested parties are urged to contact district coordinators as soon as possible at:
Capricorn district
Respect Chabangu
Cell: 082 219 5516
Sekhukhune district
Masemola Nape
Cell: 073 176 0767
Mopani district
Muifha T
Cell: 073 292 4584
Vhembe district
Shibambo Busi
Cell: 083 307 3456
Waterberg district
Obakeng Mogara
Cell: 079 494 4244
For more information contact:
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Provincial Government
12 April 2010
Source: Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.lda.gov.za/)
