Women making inroads in agriculture
WOMEN continue to make major inroads in the agricultural sector, growing successful businesses and actively participating in food security projects in their communities.
One of those women is Nonhlanhla Linda (57), a contractor providing agricultural services to growers in communal areas.
She is the owner of Kwanda Intwenhle Investments, operating under the Mandeni Municipality and King
Cetshwayo District Municipality.
Through her business she has provided contracting services to the KwaDlamu, Asikhulisane, Ultimate Change, Mahlonyane and Dikiza Mlimi co-operatives which are collectively responsible for 78 hectares.
Her services have supported the five co-operatives to create 78 seasonal employment opportunities and provide livelihood to 25 co-operative members.
‘As a female contractor, I have to work twice as hard to prove my ability and gain the trust of the communities I have had the opportunity to service.
‘The number of women operating as contractors or providing a service to farmers remains small. Women find it challenging to own equipment required to run a successful contracting business owing to a lack of access to finance,’ she said.
Another woman carving her space in the sector is Lungile Nkosi, a 37-year-old administrator at Qwabe Nkanini Communal Property Association in the Ilembe district.
‘Being a female in a maledominated industry is a challenge because sometimes your skills and capabilities are questioned without reason,’ said Lungile.
Supporting growth of women in the sector
Tongaat Hulett, which has over the years supported the growth of female-owned businesses in the sector, says it has done so through a wide range of tailor-made farmer support models which include communal leasehold, small-scale grower and community land restitution programme support.
‘Under the small-scale grower support model, there are 10 038 growers working in partnership with Tongaat Hulett, 51% of whom are female.
‘The growers are responsible for directing all farming activities, ranging from land preparation to the development of harvesting plans during the milling season,’ said Nhlanhla Ntuli, Land Reform and Small-Scale Grower Manager.
‘Under the communal leasehold model, there are 64 co-operatives representing some 5 000 growers, of which 1 894 members are female growers who have made their land parcels available for sugarcane development.'
Corporate Affairs Executive at Tongaat Hulett, Nkonzo Mhlongo said the agricultural sector is the most important creator of employment for women, mainly in rural communities.
'Ensuring women participate meaningfully in farming organisations, restitution projects and co-operatives will improve food security, promote local economic development and accelerate women participation in leadership positions,' said Mhlongo.