Gone are the days when the image of a farmer was solely defined by pictures of men wearing khaki clothes and vellies.

Far from conforming to traditional stereotypes, farmers arrived in stunning high heels and elegant outfits, completely redefining what it means to be involved in agriculture, at the recent Women in Agriculture Business Seminar.

The seminar was hosted on August 15 at the Anew Hotel.

This event was designed to bring together like-minded women in agriculture to network, share insight, and jazz up entrepreneurial skills.

In her presentation, Dr Lerato Matsaunyane emphasised her mission to bridge the gap in sustainable farming by introducing smallholder farmers to climate-smart, circular agriculture through innovative bioslurry living labs.

She spearheaded the construction of small-scale biodigesters designed to treat animal manure, transforming waste into nutrient-rich bioslurry.

This organic biofertilizer is then applied to crops, enhancing soil health and boosting yields without relying on synthetic inputs.

As her work evolved, Lerato shifted her focus toward plant production, training farmers in the principles of crop rotation and the benefits of using organic biofertilizers.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, built on the invisible strength of women,” she declared passionately.

She also addressed the systemic challenges faced by women in science and agriculture:

“Being a woman researcher in a male-dominated field is ten times harder – not because we lack capability, but because the system was never designed for our equal participation.”

She concluded with a powerful message: “When women rise in agriculture, research sharpens, farms flourish, and communities thrive.”

A farmer who hails from eMalahleni, Gugulethu Mahlangu, founder of House Harvest, shared her inspirational story.

She said she is a first generation farmer who made a lot of rookie mistakes.

But through perseverance, learning as she goes along and taking with her a lot of advice, she is now a thriving aquaponics farmer.
Today she sells produce to restaurants and hotels.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), women contribute an estimated 50% to 80% of agricultural labour globally. They play a crucial role in producing subsistence food and often contribute significantly to cash crop production.

The FAO further noted that if women had the same access to resources as men, agricultural productivity could increase by up to 30%, potentially reducing global poverty by up to 17%.

See photos here:

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