in Agriculture
Compiled by Chris Kriel
“Closing the gender gap in agricultural inputs alone could lift 100–150
million people out of hunger.” - Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
of the United Nations.
F
or women to become more
involved in farming in
South Africa the infrastructure has to be developed
and where it exists, increased in
order to enable the movement of
goods that are farmed to become
expedited. The women also need
increased trade incentives so as to
engage in farming activities. Teaching them new and efficient farming
methods and helping them keep up
with new technology is another
way to help women in South Africa
become a bigger force in farming.
Government, subsequently, must
work together with nongovernmental organizations
(NGO’s) in helping women to become farmers in South Africa.
Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA)
One of these NGOs since 1990, is
Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), a
South African social and environ-
mental enterprise improving lives
and landscapes towards healthy
people on a healthier planet. Over
4.2 million trees, thousands of natural food gardens, some bamboo
projects and organic farms have
been planted for poor communities. FTFA has been a pioneer of
climate change response, mitigation and adaptation, launching the
first South African carbon calculator, the Carbon Protocol of South
Africa and the Climate Change
Leadership Awards, and is the African Branch Manager for the Climate Reality Project and partner for
the first African Climate Leadership
Corps Training. For more info see:
www.trees.co.za
Farmer Eco-Enterprise Development (FEED) AFRICA
FEED AFRICA is a programme by
Food and Trees for Africa that has
been appointed by AfriSam to pro-
vide farmers with training, mentorship, operational support and marketing assistance. This innovative
project is part of AfriSam’s investment into community enterprise
development under the mantle of
their Social & Labour Plan. The project is aimed at providing sustainable economic development and diversification in the communities
where AfriSam operates.
Young Female Farmer:
28 year old female farmer, Sphiwe
Machika from Rethabiseng in
Bronkhorstspruit, has won the Provincial Female Farmer of the Year
Award in 2013 and as part of the
Women’s Day celebrations in August, as well as the National Female
Entrepreneur of the Year Award for
her excellent work at Rethabiseng
Sustainable farm.
Sphiwe was born in Rethabiseng,
Bronkhorstspruit and went to