SoilSistas Round Table Discussion: The Future of Food, Women’s Leadership and Technology for Profitable Farms

The SoilSistas Round Table Discussion was held on Monday, 30 March 2026 at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

By Maphuti Mongatane, Business Development Manager at African Farming

Hosted by Corteva Agriscience, the SoilSistas Round Table Discussion brought together women leaders, industry experts, researchers, financiers and women farmers for an engaging and honest conversation on “The Future of Food, Women’s Leadership and Technology for Profitable Farms”.

Mirriam Mashego, programme manager at GIBS, set the tone with a powerful reflection on the journey of the SoilSistas programme. She emphasised the importance of moving beyond participation and shifting the conversation towards access, sustainability and real economic opportunity. The programme, she explained, has been intentional about connecting women directly with stakeholders, market players and decision-makers because true transformation happens when access meets opportunity. As global challenges intensify – climate shocks, supply chain disruptions and rising capital requirements – the demands on agriculture are evolving. And within this evolution, women are not just participants, they are emerging as leaders who are redefining what resilience, innovation and sustainability look like in practice.

Lerato Luzipo, communications manager at Corteva Agriscience, spoke about the origins of the programme and the intentional effort to build an ecosystem that supports women holistically and not only in farming, but in business, finance and leadership. Over the years, the SoilSistas initiative has demonstrated what is possible when the right people are brought into the same room. Businesses have grown, jobs have been created and networks have strengthened. And perhaps most importantly, confidence has been built among women who are now stepping into spaces where they were once underrepresented.

Change Agents

But the conversation did not ignore the reality that there is still much work to be done. There was a strong and empowering shift in the narrative from seeing women as beneficiaries to recognising them as change agents. This is no longer about survival. It is about thriving, breaking barriers and leading transformation across the agricultural value chain.

The panel discussion that followed brought together a dynamic group of voices who each added depth and perspective to the conversation.

Simóhn Engelbrecht, head of trade and relations at AgriSA, challenged the often glamorised idea of export markets. Although exports remain an important goal, she emphasised that true success begins locally. Farmers must first build consistency, reliability and scale within local markets before positioning themselves for global trade.

Her message was clear: Sustainability is built at home before it is tested abroad.

Jabu Mphambo, acting CEO of Land Bank, provided insight into the financial realities facing farmers. He acknowledged the barriers of compliance, incomplete applications and the complexity of accessing funding, but also shared the proactive steps being taken to address these challenges. One key development is the launch of a farmers’ academy that is designed to equip farmers with the necessary skills to navigate funding processes, build strong business cases and ultimately become investment-ready. It is a step towards closing the gap between potential and access.

The Challenges of Running a Farming Business

However, it was the voices from the ground that brought the conversation into sharp focus.

Kabelo Puling, the CEO of Pula Nala Bataung, shared a powerful reflection on the realities of running a farming business in South Africa. Farming, she said, is more than a profession, it is a responsibility. In a country grappling with unemployment, inequality and food insecurity, agriculture has the power to create jobs and restore dignity. But the journey is not without its challenges.

From high input costs to the difficulties faced by first-generation farmers in accessing funding, the system often presents barriers that require both resilience and innovation to overcome. Land that has been unused for years requires significant investment before it can produce yields, yet funding models do not always accommodate this reality.

Her voice echoed the lived experience of many in the room. It was a reminder that while opportunity exists, it must be made accessible.

Dr Carla Schutte, senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Pretoria, added a critical lens on resilience and preparedness. With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of disruptions, farmers must become more adaptive, agile and systems-oriented. She emphasised the importance of integrated supply chains where planning, sourcing, production and distribution work together seamlessly. Technology, she noted, is a key enabler, but only when it is applied with intention. Farmers must assess their readiness and adopt tools that genuinely strengthen their operations and resilience.

Women are at the Centre of Transformation

As the floor opened for discussion, the conversation became even more real.

Questions around access to finance, regulatory requirements and application processes highlighted the everyday struggles faced by farmers. There was a clear call for systems that are more accessible, more responsive and more aligned with realities on the ground.

And yet, despite the challenges, there was an undeniable sense of hope. What stood out most from the SoilSistas Round Table was not just the depth of the issues discussed but also the strength, courage and determination of the women leading the conversation. These are women who are not waiting for change, they are creating it.

They are building businesses, influencing policy, embracing technology and redefining leadership in agriculture. They are proving that the future of food is not just about production but also about inclusion, innovation and intentional growth.

As the session came to a close, one message remained clear: The future of agriculture is being shaped now, and women are at the centre of that transformation.