CALL FOR APPLICATIONS IN THE PROVINCIAL FEMALE FARMER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2006

The Northern Cape’s Department of Agriculture and Land Reform has unleashed its search for the province’s best female farmers through its Call For Applications in the Provincial Female Farmer of the Year Competition 2006. A heartening and immediate response would enable the Evaluation Team that is comprised of the Departmental officials and sponsors to complete the process of evaluating projects and recommending the winners in time. The honours are to be conferred on the winners in four categories; top producer for national markets, top producer for informal markets, top producer for household food security and top producer for export markets. The gala event will be held in Colesburg in August amid the usual pomp and ceremony. Last year’s prize money of R120 000 is likely to be increased.

In our Call For Applications which ends in the last week of June, we would urge entrants to display entrepreneurial development, job creation, management of natural resources and contribution towards poverty eradication depending on the selected category. The Competition serves to recognize the contribution of women in agriculture and their adherence to innovation and excellence. Aspirant participants are requested to contact all regional extension offices for application details. Officials may also be invited to visit projects for an assessment of the category applicants would qualify to participate in.

MEC Tina Joemat-Pettersson said this phase of the Competition is of critical importance in that it would lay the basis for province to repeat its unprecedented achievement at last year’s National Female Farmer of the Year Competition. Ms. Colene Grievelink whose running a successful stud breeding and commercial farming enterprise of Dorper sheep and Brahman cattle, is South Africa’s reigning Female Farmer of the Year amid being chosen by Minister Thoko Didiza. She also seized a special prize as the most Competitive winner. Ms. Felicity Fillis who sold her dining room suite for the purchase of 100 ostrich chicks brought the province much joy and pride by being named Top Producer for National Markets.

(photo of MEC Tina Joemat-Pettersson with reigning National Female Farmer of the Year Ms. Colene Grievelink of De Aar is available upon request – photo taken at the gala event of the National Female Farmer of the Year Competition 2005 which was held in Kimberley last year October)

EDITORS NOTES

Competition Background

The Female Farmer Competition is an instrument through which women’s contribution to the fight against poverty is being recognised and encouraged. The Competition acknowledges women as the lifeline of society and the custodians of household food security whose role is critical in improving the quality and quantity of agricultural products through improved delivery, innovation and excellence.

This initiative further seeks to:

· Lift the social, cultural and economic barriers that have subjected women to play a peripheral role in the sector,

· Thwart the spectre of a decline in the Province’s agricultural sector’s growth by encouraging the entry of new farmers to ensure an improved food production,

· ·Combat inequities by soliciting support from various quarters of the industry that would include, financial institutions and agricultural specialists, and

· ·Enable women to have the same opportunities and access to resources.

In selecting the winners we focused on aspects such as entrepreneurial development, job creation and the management of agricultural resources for current and future generations.

Hence the winners would at all times display the following characteristics:

· Demonstrate a degree of innovation and creativity in improving existing farming systems with the responsible use of production inputs, and

· ·Demonstrate a sense of innovation in financial management, created and retained employment opportunities

Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi 083 255 8840 tmothibi@grand.ncape.gov.za