STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER

 

DR B.SIBUSISO DLAMINI

 

AT THE WOMAN FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

 

RIDERS RANCH CONFERENCE CENTRE, SIDVOKODVO

 

WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2016

Programme Director,

Your Royal Highnesses

Chiefs

Honourable Ministers

Honourable members of the Parliamentary Portfolio

Committee

Regional Administrator

Woman farmers

President of SNAU

CEOs from the private and parastatal sectors

Sponsors

Mrs Paiva, Founder of the Woman Farmer Foundation

Representive of the Farmers Union

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my honour on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to greet you all today at the Women Farmer prize presentation ceremony, an event that we conduct every year.

I once heard it said about a neighbouring country that if a citizen of that country used an adjective without mentioning which noun it referred to, it would automatically be assumed that the person was talking about his or her cattle. That preoccupation, perhaps in some cases even an obsession, may carry some limitations but it will definitely have its advantages, especially where there is productive use of the resources in question. For cattle, that means the production of meat or milk, and for arable land the very wide choice of crops, from maize to high value vegetables and spices.

But is such preoccupation a reality in our country? There are many highly committed and similarly productive farmers across the country. Is that a high proportion of the population? And, if not, why not?

We know that over the past two years we have encountered the most damaging drought for many years. In any assessment that challenge has certainly muddied the waters (no pun intended). In the main transport corridors of the country there has been a degree of water rationing, but it is difficult for those populations to imagine the extent of the deprivation and hardship encountered by the people in the rural areas.

So, in these difficult times, it is almost impossible to make an assessment of the extent of our national commitment to agricultural production beyond subsistence level. But with the rains arriving, albeit somewhat hesitantly, and good rains forecast up to the end of December 2016, we hope to see our people responding with strenuous activity in the fields. We trust that the tractor services and input subsidies will meet the needs of the Nation’s farmers, big and small.

What we do know is that we still import huge quantities of

our food requirements. Outside the restrictions imposed by drought conditions we have to set our sights on more substantial import substitution to create jobs inside the country in place of jobs outside. That is not to say we should aim to substitute domestic production for all imports. As Adam Smith in the 1776 seminal work Wealth of Nations argued - we should specialise in what we do best. That effectively means that where a crop benefits from the economies of scale outside our country it would pay us to buy from there and the corresponding resources to focus on what we do best and also access the external market. The one exception to that strategy would, of course, be the need to establish an agreed degree of domestic food security.

From categories defined by size let us reflect on those of gender, and I focus here on the woman farmer. I do so because that is what this event is all about. It is held to encourage our women farmers to show their skills and compete for success, reward and national recognition in an area of huge economic importance in our country.

That our women should be motivated and fully empowered to engage in commercial enterprise is one of our driving national ambitions. We know that our women are multi-taskers of remarkable ability. We want to see more and more of that drive and resourcefulness manifested in commercial enterprise in agriculture, perhaps the most important sector of our economy.

It could be argued that since our women are so productive across a broad spectrum that we should not need a specialised event such as this. The awards aim to recognize the contribution by women in addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality through agriculture.  Increasing the visibility of their activities enhances recognition which, in turn strengthens empowerment. It is also required in order to give women special support as the empowerment process does not happen overnight.

This competition not only acts as an incentive for women to enter agriculture but it also draws attention to the changes that are taking place. When the competition started in 2007 it attracted 51 entrants. This year 232 women farmers entered the event. Since to be accepted in the event carries the prerequisite of a certain standard of output it means that 232 women farmers are achieving that standard which must surely translate into a significant contribution to national agricultural output.  

I take this opportunity to congratulate all the women farmers currently engaged in commercial enterprise across the country and especially those who have made it to this final selection stage today. And our appreciation goes to Mrs Paiva, founder of the event in 2007, and of the Woman Farmer Foundation that was officially launched in 2014. Despite the drought conditions, we are seeing a great improvement in output and sustainability, and we recognise the valuable support being received from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Woman Farmer Foundation.

Empowering rural women is a pre-requisite to fulfilling the vision of the global sustainable development goals adopted by United Nations member states. And it is entirely fitting that as a country we honour the phenomenal women who daily, under what are often trying circumstances, toil and till the land to ensure they provide food for their families and communities. A further significant aspect of the Woman Farmer awards is that they raise an awareness of the importance of sustainable use of natural resources, a critical component of agriculture as we must ensure that our natural resources are protected for us and future generations.

In closing may I say to all the women in agriculture, thank you for your meaningful contribution towards job creation, inclusive economic growth and food security. To the winners in this competition I add my congratulations and also encourage you to press on to even greater heights in your commercial enterprises. To those not successful today, please do not be deterred. I trust we will see you again next year.

Thank you.