Xola Sibisi, founder of Intombi Corner Farming, shares her inspiring journey through the Women in Farming programme, supported by Agri SA Enterprises. Discover how her vision and dedication are shaping the future of agriculture and empowering communities.
In the latest Farmer’s Inside Track podcast episode, we delve into Xola Sibisi’s transformative journey within the Women in Farming programme, where her story illuminates the programme’s role in fostering women’s empowerment and promoting food security in agriculture. Hear firsthand insights from Sibisi and mentor Thabo Olivier on the programme’s impact and the path to sustainable agricultural development.
Olivier, a food security specialist and mentor of the programme, along with Sibisi, the founder of Intombi Corner Farming, shed light on the journey of its participants.
Initiated by Agri SA Enterprises, a subsidiary of Agri SA, the Women in Farming programme aims to equip women with the skills and resources needed to thrive in agriculture.
Olivier emphasised the importance of practical implementation, stating, “Training theory is like planning a game on a chalkboard. You’ve got to be able to implement it.”
The programme therefore focuses not only on theoretical training but also on building practical skills, confidence, and capacity among participants.
Fostering market access for small-scale farmers
Sibisi shared her inspiring journey of transitioning into agriculture out of unemployment. What started as a personal endeavour soon evolved into a training enterprise aimed at empowering her community with farming skills.
She highlighted the crucial role of sponsors like Momentum Metropolitan Foundation in facilitating her transition and supporting her vision. Their contributions not only provided financial assistance but also served as a catalyst for her growth and expansion within the agricultural industry.
One of the programme’s key strategies is fostering market access for small-scale farmers. Olivier emphasised the importance of selling produce directly to the community, bypassing traditional markets.
By eliminating distribution costs and selling directly to consumers, participants can ensure both profitability and accessibility of their products. Additionally, Women in Farming encourages value addition through processing, enabling farmers to diversify their offerings and enhance their profitability.
Despite the challenges inherent in farming, especially for small-scale operators, the programme’s participants demonstrate resilience and dedication.
Olivier remarked on the commitment and nurturing nature of women farmers, stating, “You’ve got to have a love for the soil.” The programme not only equips women with agricultural skills but also fosters a deep connection to the land and community.
What’s next?
As phase three of the Women in Farming programme looms on the horizon, participants like Sibisi aspire to further expand their enterprises and contribute to the agricultural industry. She envisions growth, personal development, and the establishment of her own farmers’ markets.
The Agri SA Enterprises initiatives taught her to not only plan for tomorrow but envision the landscape of farming decades ahead. With a keen eye on the future, she used funding received for her training, enterprise, and farming business, strategically investing in tools and resources that would fortify her operations against the challenges of tomorrow.
As her success story unfolds, Sibisi emerges not just as a farmer but as a mentor and leader, nurturing a new generation of agriculturalists. Her mentees, equipped with newfound skills and confidence, are not just growers of crops; they are catalysts for change in their communities.
From building their own tunnels to mastering irrigation techniques, these women are not just recipients of knowledge but active participants in its dissemination. Looking ahead, Sibisi envisions a future where her mentees surpass her achievements, where she can proudly proclaim, “You see those ladies? I had a share in their success.”
Her hopes extend beyond the confines of the Women in Farming project; they are rooted in enduring relationships and a shared commitment to the future of farming.
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