… As Woman Farmer of The Year competition heats up.
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “We congratulate our top 10 woman farmers and encourage those who did not make it this year to keep pushing and to come back stronger next year.”
These were the words of Woman Farmer Foundation Director, Sonia Paiva, when announcing the top 10 contestants for the 2023 Woman Farmer of the Year competition in the adult category.
The top ten contestants were selected from all the regions in the country, and they have been recognised for their excellent work in farming vegetables, maize, broilers, layers, goats, avocado trees, and more.
The Director of the Woman Farmer Foundation, which hosts the competition, noted that the competition was tough this year.
“The foundation is extremely proud of the caliber of applicants received. The contestants were competitive. We congratulate our top 10 woman farmers and encourage those who did not make it this year to keep pushing and to come back stronger next year,” said Paiva.
She also thanked the sponsors who continue to make the competition possible.
“The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has been a great supporter of the foundation. We look forward to working with the new incoming Minister and his Team and building better rapport for the sustained development of women-led businesses,” added Paiva.
The top 10 contestants had much to say about their advancement to this stage of the competition.
“I am so excited to see that my hard work paid off. Previously, I joined the competition and didn’t get far. But after participating in training by Woman Farmer Foundation, I was determined to do what I was taught. I think that helped me a lot to get me where I am today,” said Phumzile Hadebe Nxumalo, who is a farmer from Mpolonjeni.
Her sentiments were echoed by Phestile Vilakati-Maziya from Sikhonkwane, who urged women in particular to take up commercial farming.
“I just want other women to know that it is important to be independent and work for yourself. When I got to my marital home, I found unutilized land and decided to start farming to contribute to my income, improve my lifestyle, and develop my agribusiness,” revealed Vilakati.
