Machidi Development Foundation to host women’s workshop

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The Machidi Development Foundation (MDF), a Limpopo-based rural development non-profit organisation, is expected to launch its inaugural Annual Women in Agriculture Interactive workshop at 08:00 tomorrow (Friday) at Protea Hotel Ranch Resort.
Spokesperson for MDF, Maselaganye Matji, said in a media release that the workshop seeks to celebrate and empower the remarkable women making great strides in the predominately male dominated agribusiness sector. “It is not by any sheer coincidence that recognition of the pivotal and game-changing role women are playing so conspicuously and so seamlessly in the agricultural sector is being piloted in the month of August. Much thought was given to the seminar and MDF’s founding members were unanimous in deciding on the month of August, renowned the world over as Women’s Month, as the suitable month to debut this prestigious event,” Matji explained.
According to Matji, this crucial and hugely anticipated event will bring together under one roof an array of agricultural sector experts and key role-players in an effort to both recognize the meaningful role women have played in the sector as well as to equip emergent and aspirant women farmers with the invaluable information needed to advance their agribusiness objectives.
The subject of the workshop is reflective of the MDF’s key strategic objective, which is the empowerment of rural communities and community members, particularly youth and women, through sustainable agricultural development programmes. Agricultural development, food security and rural development are amongst the key focus areas of South Africa’s economic transformation agenda for job creation and poverty eradication.
The workshop will see experts from various industries interested in agriculture and rural development converge to tackle rural agricultural development; empowerment of women in agriculture; and explore local industry models, approaches and practical solutions to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of agriculture. According to Matji, representatives from ZZ2, Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), the Water Research Commission, Anglo American, the De Beers Group, the Department of Agriculture and Sekhukhune District Municipality will attend the workshop and provide inputs.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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