History is in the making once again in KwaZulu-Natal. The province had hosted a two-day Inaugural Summit for Women in Agriculture at the ICC in Durban on 27 to 28 August 2012.
In line with the Presidential call for an emphasis on rural development with special reference to women, KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Environmental Affairs MEC, Dr Meshack Radebe had given Women’s Month celebration a catalyst by initiating a platform for rural women in Agriculture.
The department’s objective is to unlock the market potential of Agricultural commodities, create sustainable SMME’s and Cooperatives, whilst ensuring job creation and economic emancipation for women, youth, women with disabilities and women farm workers to ensure the reduction of dependency and fight the scourge of poverty and ensure food security.
The theme for the summit was, 'Addressing Unemployment, Poverty, Food Security and Inequality: Together Contributing Towards the Progressive Future for Rural Women. A typical example is the plight of women from Embabazane outside Estcourt, who suffered a great loss of their Yellow Maize Crop just a few weeks before harvesting. About 80 hectares were burned to ashes with an estimated value of R5 million.
That is why it is imperative that rural women are provided with such a platform to voice out the challenges that inhibits growth, development and economic emancipation within the Agricultural sector.
