Women farmers call for inclusive growth and development

Today, South Africa is celebrating 32 years of hard-earned freedom. For some, the day brings back sad memories, while for others, it means a day to reflect on the journey the country has taken.

Over the past years, more women have entered the agricultural space, more so, women farmers, young and dedicated to making it in the previously male-dominated field. Nowadays, more women are taking on leadership roles in different entities within the sector.

While there have been many strides made, women in the sector still feel the need to be part of decision-making; importantly, access to land, markets, and finance are still the biggest barriers for many women.

Access to resources key for women to succeed

Rebaone Alecia Paul, a livestock and crop farmer on Ditlharedintsi farm near Ganyesa in North West, said as a young female farmer, she feels women in rural areas do not reach development as fast as they should.

“It is important for rural women to also enjoy the fruits of freedom, especially those in the agricultural space. Women need secure land ownership through proper documentation, inclusion in land reform, and legal protection.

“They must have decision-making power and recognised rights in both formal and communal systems. It is equally important to provide local input hubs, reliable water systems, affordable finance, and training. Support cooperatives and ensure women have access to markets to sell their produce,” she said.

Paul indicated that agricultural programmes should be flexible, include childcare support, and promote labour-saving tools. “Women must be recognised as farmers and supported with health and well-being services,” she said.

Agro-processor Keatlegile Mnguni said even though labour laws are meant to protect farmworkers, they sometimes lead to more short-term and outsourced jobs, especially for women.

“Agricultural programmes and policies need to go beyond legislation and actively address these realities by securing more employment models, ensuring that the protections extend to seasonal and permanent workers.

“We need to see initiatives that are organising women-led cooperatives that pool resources for shared equipment and bulk input purchasing. And lastly, involving women directly in the design and leadership of these interventions ensures that solutions are not only practical but responsive,” she said.

Mnguni noted that if these measures can be implemented without fail, it would lead to shifting women from inactive beneficiaries to active decision-makers in shaping their own agricultural systems.

Long walk to land ownership

Maureen Chisane, a crop farmer in West Rand, Gauteng, said she has been farming for the past 36 years, and she has yet to receive her title deed.

“Operating without knowing if you’re coming or going is very painful and hard. We have knocked on the doors of the government for a long time. At the moment, we are just farming without any expectations. When it comes to women in the sector, I think we are still marginalised and not taken for granted.

“It is not easy farming as a woman in South Africa, I do not think it will change,” she said.

Meanwhile, Peter Setou, chief executive of the Vumelana Advisory Fund, said communal land ownership can play an important role in reducing rural poverty. However, beneficiaries must have secure rights, including title or use rights, to enable them to unlock value and access finance.

“Notwithstanding the advancements that have been made in the land reform space, progress in land redistribution remains slow, and more needs to be done to address racially skewed land ownership patterns. This must, however, go hand in hand with support to ensure productive use of redistributed land.

“Ultimately, the success of land reform will not be measured by the amount of land transferred, but by how that land improves livelihoods, creates jobs and supports inclusive economic growth,” he said.