The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Mr.Boitumelo Tshwene says women in this province continue to regard agriculture as a gateway in attaining economic freedom. Tshwene says as result of opportunities availed to them by the department, they are able to participate and contribute meaningfully to food security and job creation.
This sentiment was expressed as the department keeps on to its commitment and promise towards women issues in its effort to improve the lives of communities, as more and more women are benefitting from the department’s flagship projects.
MEC says the department is committed to this effort to recognise and support agricultural projects run by women in the fight against poverty and unemployment by ensuring that they benefit them and their communities.
“We also remain dedicated to social and economic development of women and have always acknowledged their achievement in agriculture and rural development by providing opportunities that allow them to take centre stage to be architects of their own destiny”, shares the MEC Tshwene.
Consequently the department is encouraging women to continue to be involved in agricultural projects and to remain relentless in spite of adversities they often encounter in this field stereotyped as a man’s domain.
“As an indication of the department’s commitment to further advance their cause”, MEC Tshwene explains, “the department has identified and given support to women involved in agriculture through a variety of a flagship projects such as Mechanization, Nguni Cattle, Female Entrepreneur of the year and other programmes potentially to develop women”.
Bipanang Basadi Cooperative is a project that was initiated by the Louisdal community near Mareetsane and is a beneficiary of the Mechanization Programme. This group of women cultivates maize and sunflower in the land that was laying fallow for some time.
A group of ten women from Pachsdraai in Lehurutshe called Semellang Bomme, Ms Tryphina Penyenye from Ramatlabama in Mafikeng and the Bafokeng Nguni from Moedwil in Bojanala are but some of the women beneficiaries of the Nguni Cattle Development Project and they are part of farmers who have met the conditions of their contract, that of breeding Nguni cattle.
Besides, a number of distinguished women have also shown their competence by showing their courage, commitment and dedication towards agriculture and as such, have been greatly rewarded.
Their contribution in agriculture and their fight against poverty has not gone unnoticed as they have been rewarded and recognised through the Female Farmer Entrepreneur which has been running since 1999.
“As we celebrate the emancipation of women and pay special tribute to all women, let us defend and protect their rights. And as a sign of government’s commitment to women empowerment, the department has continuously over the years placed the empowerment and development of women at the top of its priority”.
Contact Person:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
MEC Tshwene encourages women farmers to firmly claim their space in the Agriculture sector
Province
