The world of agriculture has long been dominated by men, but times are changing. Women are entering the sector in increasing numbers, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the field. And now, these women have an exciting opportunity to share their perspectives in the newly launched Women’s Insight Deliberation Competition.
Presented by Future Agri Perspectives, the competition will give women in agriculture a platform to express their views on policy decisions affecting rural communities. They are encouraged to share their perspectives on topics such as energy and water challenges, lack of infrastructure, family farming businesses, rural safety, health challenges, labour issues affecting farms, and the importance of a sustainable environment.
The competition is open to women in agriculture aged 18 years and older, including farmers, farmers’ wives, women involved in agricultural or farming businesses, and those who work in an office on a farm.
Big prizes up for grabs
Ten finalists will be selected and invited to a prestigious evening in Pretoria on Thursday, 24 August 2023, where the winner and two runners-up will be announced. The winners and runners-up will receive prizes of R10 000, R5 000, and R3 000, respectively. Entries are accepted until Friday, 30 June 2023.
Future Agri Perspectives is an initiative between Agri X Group, CRA Media, and like-minded individuals who seek to provide credible and scalable platforms for individuals in the agricultural value chain to present their perspectives on relevant topics.
Magda du Toit, co-founder of Future Agri Perspectives, says the Women’s Insight Deliberation Competition seeks to encourage the participation of women in agriculture in discussions that affect their daily lives. With women making up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce in rural communities, their perspectives on policy matters are essential for shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for agriculture in South Africa.
Future Agri Perspectives team include Du Toit, an agricultural communicator, stakeholder relations, and issues management specialist, along with Marianna du Plessis, facilitator and project-oriented individual with a wealth of experience in linking agri-business to profitable projects, opportunities, and potential funding, Linda Henning, a professional judge with over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, Johann Pretorius, CEO of the CRA Group in Pretoria, and Koos Nel, the co-founder and CEO of the Agri X Group.
Du Toit says, “The competition aims to broaden the scope of the conversation and encourage more people to voice their opinions on policy decisions and their practical influence on their lives. The competition is not a platform for conducting party politics.”
Participants can discuss any aspect that affects them and their families or society. They can offer solutions with practical examples, and if they are already involved in a project that addresses the matter, they can explain it. The competition is open to entries in Afrikaans or English.
The competition entry form and further information is available online. Participants must state their case in a short video of between five to eight minutes which they then submit together with the entry form on the website.
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