Limpopo Women Turn Agriculture Into a Powerful Force for Food Security and Economic Empowerment

Seventy years after thousands of courageous women marched to the Union Buildings to challenge discriminatory laws and demand equality, women in Limpopo continue to carry forward that legacy through action, leadership and economic participation. The province’s 2026 Women’s Day celebration placed women farmers at the centre of this ongoing journey, recognising their growing contribution to food security, job creation and rural economic development. Held at Moses Monanyane Stadium in Ga-Monyeki, Shongoane, Lephalale, on 9 August 2026, the celebration honoured the achievements of women while highlighting the challenges that still limit their full participation in the agricultural economy. Women across Limpopo are increasingly using land, agricultural knowledge, innovation and determination to build livelihoods and create sustainable businesses. Their progress demonstrates that empowering women in agriculture can have a direct impact on households, communities and the wider provincial economy.

The focus on agriculture was particularly significant because farming remains an important source of food and income for many communities across Limpopo. Women are involved in subsistence farming, commercial agriculture, agro-processing and agribusiness, contributing to food production at different stages of the agricultural value chain. Their work ranges from growing crops and raising livestock to processing agricultural products and finding markets for finished goods. Many women farmers are also creating employment opportunities and generating income that supports their families and local communities. Their contribution shows that women should not be viewed only as participants in agriculture but as farmers, entrepreneurs, employers and decision-makers capable of driving meaningful economic growth.

The Women’s Day celebration also drew attention to the barriers that continue to affect women who want to expand their agricultural activities. Access to land remains an important issue, particularly for women who want to move from subsistence production into larger commercial operations. Finance is equally important because farmers need capital to purchase equipment, inputs, livestock, irrigation systems and other resources required for sustainable production. Access to mechanisation, technology, skills and reliable markets can also determine whether an agricultural project remains small or develops into a commercially viable enterprise. Expanding access to these resources can give more women the opportunity to increase production, improve their businesses and participate more effectively in the agricultural value chain.

Finance and access to markets are especially important for women who are seeking to commercialise their farming operations. Producing agricultural goods is only one part of building a successful agricultural business, as farmers also need access to buyers, appropriate pricing, storage, transportation and processing opportunities. Without reliable markets, farmers can struggle to turn increased production into sustainable income. Financial institutions and government programmes therefore have an important role to play in helping women overcome barriers that prevent promising agricultural enterprises from reaching their full potential. Greater coordination between government, financial institutions and private sector partners can create a stronger support system for women who want to develop agriculture into sustainable businesses.

Limpopo’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment was further demonstrated through a partnership between the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standard Bank and Yarona Group. The partnership focuses on supporting young women in agriculture and helping them progress towards commercialisation. Such initiatives can provide young women with opportunities to access resources, knowledge and support that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. Encouraging more young women to view agriculture as a viable business sector can also help address concerns about the future of farming and promote innovation within the industry. Supporting young agricultural entrepreneurs can create a new generation of farmers who combine traditional knowledge with modern technology, business skills and new approaches to production.

The emphasis on young women is particularly important as agriculture continues to change through technology, digital platforms and new business models. Young farmers can play an important role in introducing innovative approaches to production, marketing and value addition. With appropriate training and access to finance, technology and markets, they can build enterprises that extend beyond primary production into processing and other areas of the agricultural value chain. This can increase the value generated from agricultural products while creating additional employment opportunities in rural communities. Partnerships that help young women develop commercially focused agricultural enterprises can therefore contribute to both gender empowerment and broader rural economic development.

Addressing the gathering, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba reflected on the theme, “Empower Women, Empower Nations,” and emphasised the importance of meaningful representation of women in leadership and decision-making. Her message highlighted the need to move beyond recognising women’s achievements and focus on creating conditions in which women can influence the decisions that affect their lives and economic opportunities. Representation in leadership can help ensure that policies and programmes take the experiences and needs of women into account. It can also create opportunities for women to shape priorities in areas such as agriculture, finance, education, employment and rural development. Meaningful empowerment therefore requires women to have both access to opportunities and a voice in the decisions that determine how those opportunities are created and distributed.

Premier Ramathuba also called for government policies to translate into practical action, particularly by ensuring stronger representation of women in management positions and improving their access to economic opportunities. Policies can provide an important framework for transformation, but their impact depends on effective implementation and measurable outcomes. Government departments need to ensure that programmes reach the women they are intended to support and that beneficiaries receive the resources and assistance required to succeed. This includes monitoring whether women gain meaningful access to land, funding, training, technology, agricultural equipment and markets. Turning policy commitments into tangible opportunities can help close the gap between government objectives and the realities experienced by women in rural communities.

The progress of women farmers in Limpopo also demonstrates the wider economic potential of agriculture when women receive the support they need. Women who succeed in farming can contribute to household income while strengthening local food production and creating opportunities for other members of their communities. Agro-processing can further increase this impact by allowing farmers to add value to raw agricultural products rather than selling them in their unprocessed form. Agribusiness opportunities can also connect rural producers with wider markets and create jobs in packaging, transportation, distribution and marketing. Supporting women across these different parts of the agricultural value chain can therefore generate benefits that extend well beyond individual farming operations.

The history of South African Women’s Day provides an important context for the progress being made by women in agriculture today. The women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 demonstrated the power of collective action and their determination to challenge systems that denied them equal rights. Seven decades later, women in Limpopo are continuing that tradition by challenging economic barriers and building stronger roles for themselves in sectors that are critical to the province’s future. Their efforts show that empowerment is not limited to political participation but also includes access to productive resources, business opportunities and economic independence. Women farmers who turn land and agricultural knowledge into sustainable enterprises are extending the legacy of previous generations through practical economic transformation.

Limpopo’s agricultural future will depend in part on how effectively the province can remove the barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in the sector. Expanding access to land, finance, mechanisation, inputs, technology, skills and markets can help more women move from small-scale production towards sustainable commercial enterprises. Strong partnerships between government and the private sector can provide additional resources and expertise while helping farmers develop the business capabilities required to compete in changing markets. At the same time, greater representation of women in leadership can ensure that their experiences continue to influence policies and programmes affecting agriculture and rural development. The 2026 Women’s Day celebration in Lephalale therefore served not only as a recognition of women’s achievements but also as a reminder of the work still required to create lasting economic opportunities.

The growing role of women in Limpopo agriculture offers a clear opportunity to strengthen food security, rural livelihoods and economic growth across the province. Women farmers are already demonstrating what can be achieved when determination is supported by land, knowledge, resources, finance and access to markets. The challenge now is to expand those opportunities so that more women can move from subsistence farming into productive and sustainable commercial agriculture. The partnership involving the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Standard Bank and Yarona Group, together with the province’s broader commitment to women’s empowerment, provides an important foundation for this work. By investing in women farmers and ensuring that they have a meaningful role in leadership and economic decision-making, Limpopo can strengthen its agricultural economy while advancing the equality and empowerment legacy that began with the historic women’s march 70 years ago.