Free State women farmers lament limited access to land
For women farmers in Botshabelo stock theft is a major threat to their livelihoods.
Women farmers in the Free State have expressed frustration over their limited access to land, funding, markets and the persistent issue of stock theft, which has hindered their agricultural development. These challenges were highlighted during the province's inaugural Women in Agriculture Imbizo in Botshabelo. Mponeng Lentoro, a farmer, emphasized the need for agricultural extension services and economists to assist farmers in making informed decisions regarding crops, soil conditions, weather patterns, and market trends.
He stressed that economists possess crucial knowledge about weather patterns, niche markets, and farm management, which could significantly benefit the farmers.
Agnes Mokhele, a livestock, vegetable, and animal feed producer in Botshabelo, shared her concerns about stock theft, a major threat to the livelihoods and growth of women farmers. She pointed out that women farmers are particularly vulnerable to stock theft and called for enhanced support and protection measures to safeguard their operations and expand their businesses.
Mokhele noted that among the challenges faced by women farmers is the issue of unattended stock, which appears to be a more prevalent problem for them compared to their male counterparts.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
