Annual Female Farmer of the Year Competition Opens

"We have to understand that there is no space in Agriculture for an "us" and "them" approach. Everyone involved in Agriculture should feel at home and should know his or her specific role in the process of creating a sustainable and successfull agricultural sector," says Cobus Dowry, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture."

"As in every other aspect of life, the role and contribution of women in agriculture needs to be recognised and valued. The annual Female Farmer of the Year competition is one of the ways in which we endeavour to do exactly this."

More than 100 women and women's groups across the Western Cape have participated in this competition over the past 6 years. The aim of the competition is to empower women in agriculture and to increase their visibility. At the same time it serves as an instrument through which women's significant contribution in the fight against poverty can be recognised.

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The competition is run first on provincial level, whereafter provincial winners compete at national level.

Interested parties can enter or nominate others in four categories, namely

1. top exporter
2. top producer for national markets
3. top producer for informal markets
4. top producer for household use (subsistance).

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1. For the first category, more than 30% of produce should be for the export market.

2. Criteria for the second catergory include that more than 30% of produce should be made available on the national market.

3. Entries for category three - for those who sell to informal markets and are thus enabled to care for their family.

4. The last category is for candidates who produce mainly for their own consumption, e.g. vegetable gardens.

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Besides great publicity and exposure for participants, they also become a rolemodel for others involved in agriculture or for those who may consider taking up agriculture as career.

Wonderful prizes can be won. They are sponsored by ABSA, Total SA, Land Bank and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP).

The closing date for entries and nominations for the Western Cape competition is 17 June 2005.

Further enquiries can be directed to Gizelle van Wyk at 021 808 5022 or gizellevw@elsenburg.com.