By Lebogang Mashala
Women play a crucial role in agriculture but they encounter obstacles when trying to reach commercial farming levels. They face significant disadvantages in accessing resources, funding and recognition.
A roundtable discussion hosted by PepsiCo in Johannesburg, “The business of being a woman in farming”, sought to address these challenges and barriers women face, and highlight the important role of women in agriculture and the need to support their growth and development.
The discussions also explored actionable strategies to promote gender equity in agriculture and raise awareness among stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders and the general public.
According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber, agriculture is forecast to grow significantly, achieving an estimated 30% increase in gross value over the next 10 years. Sihlobo emphasised that women, who contribute 60-80% of the total labour force in African agriculture, should be at the centre of this growth.
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng MEC for agriculture and rural development, said women are capable, bankable, and with the right kind of support they would outperform their male counterparts.
Ramokgopa said she has been encouraged by the way women have taken the reins in the industry, from labour to production. “When we look at the labour force and subsistence and small-scale farming, women dominate the space. The only challenge is to take them to a commercial level.”
Keneilwe Mabona, Standard Bank’s senior agribusiness manager, said data supported Ramokgopa’s assertion that women are more bankable, good with credit and more likely to repay loans.
She said emerging female farmers often face challenges in accessing resources, technology and market opportunities. Therefore, Standard Bank supports women not only through funding and capacity building but also by partnering with stakeholders that create platforms for women to speak out about their challenges.
“By leveraging data-driven insights and targeted support, women farmers can be empowered to identify potential risks, as well as key opportunity areas to help increase productivity and drive sustainable growth for their farming operations,” said Mabona.
Anthony Viljoen, PepsiCo SA’s head of agronomy, said research showed that if production was left in the hands of women, there could be a 20-30% increase in output. This is because women are nurturers who can take care of the soil, crops and livestock. “Data from research done by reputable organisations indicates that women put in up to 680 hours more per year compared to their male counterparts,” he said.
Ramokgopa highlighted continuing disparities in land ownership, saying they are barriers for women. She said her department is making significant efforts to empower female farmers, aiming to facilitate seamless access to land.
The MEC also said the government has implemented a policy setting aside 50% of available land for redistribution to women and youth. She stressed the need to enhance women’s participation in higher levels of the value chain, while providing them with training, skills and access to platforms that create opportunities for women, and said collaborating with partners like PepsiCo would make this a reality.
Viljoen said that through the Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF), PepsiCo supports numerous female farmers who are now part of its supply chain. He emphasised the importance of farmers to the business, as PepsiCo relies on agricultural products such as maize, wheat, legumes, potatoes and fruit.
Tshego Selepe, head of agribusiness at KDF, said the organisation provides comprehensive support to black emerging farmers by facilitating access to funding and offering holistic support.
Selepe explained that through business development service providers, KDF helps farmers develop business plans and proposals, identifying and addressing any gaps.
Additionally, it offers post-investment support by providing technical assistance and access to markets through PepsiCo, ensuring the sustainability of the farmers.
“PepsiCo has earmarked a total of R600 million for these initiatives. Of this amount, R200 million is allocated for education and R400 million for enterprise development, with R300 million specifically directed towards agriculture,” said Selepe.
