A productive place for rural women in SA’s citrus industry
WHEN considering the agricultural sector, one tends to think of a male-dominated sector where women are only visible on the peripheries. But often it takes events like the International Day of Rural Women, which took place in October, to highlight the contrary (at least in the South African citrus industry).
Remarks like that of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, when referring to rural women as “the backbone of sustainable livelihoods”, alert one to the pivotal role that women play in agriculture around the world. But are they really recognised for their contribution?
In some third world countries women are still marginalised by prejudicial legislation that denies them access to land or requires them to jump through many more hoops than their male counterparts have to.
Closer to home, we’re still straining under the burden of the worst drought in 55 years and food security is a very real economic concern in our country. So our stance at the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) is that excluding our women from agriculture would be tantamount to shooting ourselves in the proverbial foot.
We draw great strength from integrating our female citrus growers into the industry and celebrating their role. Outstanding exporter Buyiswa Ndyenga is one such citrus grower.
While growing up on Willowtree farm and attending high school in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth, playing an active part in the citrus industry and exporting 85% of her citrus crop was probably not on the cards. Yet today, Ndyenga celebrates being part of a team who provide consistent food security in the form of jobs. It’s what she loves most about farming. Ndyenga was the proud recipient of three awards last year: top entrepreneur: export category; overall winner, provincial top entrepreneur: export; and overall winner at national level, as well as top entrepreneur: export.
Currently trustee and general manager of five farms in the Sundays River Farming Trust, Ndyenga cut her agricultural teeth at the age of 24 when she started working as a part-time-worker on Willowtree farm. She then gradually climbed the ranks to general manager of Sikhula Sonke Enterprises, which is part of the Sundays River Farming Trust.
Collaboration between the owners and shareholders has enabled the trust to provide 500 jobs.
The owners also share an unwavering commitment to supporting the local community, which has resulted in five pupils at the St Ignatius Primary School benefitting from the payment of their school fees and purchase of their school uniforms. Ndyenga has also taken responsibility for maintenance of the grass at Vusumzi Primary School.
When it comes to the workers’ wellbeing, the team at Sikhula Sonke Enterprises (Pty) Ltd has, under her leadership, provided medical aid for its permanent workers, who also earn an incentive bonus. Workers’ accommodation comes in the form of hostels on three of the farms, with established clinics on all five farms.
The monetary prizes from Ndyenga’s accolades have made it possible to purchase machinery that the team can use to dig trenches, which is invaluable when planting new orchards. Her achievements have also elevated her as a consultant for other growers who need industry advice, as well as small business owners in the area who seek general business savvy.
But, like with any profession, there are challenges. The fluctuating exchange rate, which translates into unpredictable export income, is a major source of stress, not to mention the elements.
With South Africa having suffered the most severe drought in half a century – with (debilitating but necessary) water restrictions in tow – constant strategy around farming practices and mitigation measures is crucial.
Ndyenga lauds mentorship, skills development and financial support as the mainstay of her agricultural success. And she’s spot on.
The expertise of the Citrus Research Institute (CRI) and the CGA have been invaluable to her and scores of other growers.
Historical and socio-economic ills have presented many emerging farmers with untold impediments, before they’d even got started. The citrus industry works hard to redress these imbalances by making educational opportunities and tools available – especially to emerging growers.
The CGA’s Citrus Grower Development Chamber (CGDC) and Citrus Academy work very closely to provide critical support adequately to equip black citrus growers.
Therefore, the Citrus Academy has since its inception in 2005 driven transformation within the industry as one of its main objectives. The academy’s bursary fund has been invaluable in equipping fledgling growers with the right skills by making available bursaries to relatives and employees of black citrus growers.
In 2014, the citrus business management course was developed in the Kat River Valley by the Citrus Academy to address the need for developing business skills. The programme aims to ensure that farming skills are matched with the necessary business management tools to achieve sustainable success.
Then last year the citrus emergent export excellence programme was implemented by the academy. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the CGA co-founded this programme. Emerging black growers gained much-needed expertise in citrus exports, learning about the mechanics of the international market and about other relevant elements in the trade chain.
It’s also heartening to note that the Sundays River Citrus Company singles out the Sundays River Farming Trust as its biggest BEE initiative to date. It’s proud to have supported emerging farmers with accounting services, technical and administrative support, and mentorship programmes.
In her address on the International Day of Rural Women, UN Women executive director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said, “We have an unparalleled opportunity and commitment to end poverty and hunger, achieve food and nutrition security, and guarantee sustainable livelihoods by investing in rural women and climate-resilient agriculture.”
We echo Mlambo-Ngcuka’s sentiments. May our growing initiatives and ongoing practical support of female farmers continue to be the tailwinds behind real transformation.