Female farmers and other young Gauteng entrepreneurs were honoured at the Women and Young Entrepreneurs Awards ceremony held recently at ANEW Hotel and Convention Centre OR Tambo in Lakefield.
The awards were hosted by the MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development in Gauteng, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, to acknowledge and honour women and youth in the agricultural sector for their contributions.
Some of the attendees were awarded cash prizes in different categories.
Ramokgopa said as part of their efforts to assist farmers to thrive in their businesses, they will work with the Department of Community Safety, to tackle issues like livestock theft and vandalism.
“We will ensure that those who commit these crimes are held accountable and that such acts of criminality are a thing of the past.
“Another significant challenge we need to address is the need for transformation and access to markets. Women, particularly women of color, have faced marginalisation in this sector for far too long.
“We are here to claim our space, secure our seats at the table, and create opportunities for those who will follow in our footsteps.”
Ramokgopa said the department aims to economically transform the agri-food value chain and foster sustainable development for healthy, food-secure, integrated, smart, and developed urban and rural communities.
“We want to radically modernise the agri-food landscape while ensuring sustainable environmental management and promoting inclusive participation in commercial agri-food and agro-processing,” said Ramokgopa.
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