Free State to Host First Provincial Women in Agriculture Imbizo in Bloemfontein

The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (DARDEA), in partnership with the Provincial Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) structure, will host its first-ever Provincial Women in Agriculture Imbizo on 13 and 14 October 2026 in Bloemfontein. The two-day event will bring together more than 350 women farmers from across the province to discuss opportunities, challenges and practical solutions for strengthening women’s participation in agriculture. Hosted at City Hall in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, the gathering aims to improve access to agricultural funding, markets, training and business networks. It will also create a platform for women in farming to engage directly with institutions that provide agricultural support, financial services, research and skills development. The event forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food security, promote inclusive economic growth and advance agricultural and rural development in the Free State.

The provincial imbizo will take place under the theme, “The Breadbasket in Her Hands: Safe on the Land, Resourced to Produce, Skilled to Lead.” The theme highlights the important role women play in food production, agricultural business development and rural livelihoods. It also draws attention to the resources, knowledge and opportunities women farmers need to build sustainable and productive farming enterprises. Women contribute to several areas of agriculture, including livestock farming, horticulture, crop production, poultry and the management of communal farming areas. By bringing these farmers together, the imbizo aims to encourage knowledge sharing and strengthen the role of women in the province’s agricultural economy.

A central objective of the Women in Agriculture Provincial Imbizo is to provide a space where farmers can raise concerns, exchange ideas and explore practical ways to overcome barriers to agricultural growth. Access to markets remains an important issue for many farming businesses, particularly those seeking reliable buyers and opportunities to expand their operations. Funding is another key concern, as farmers often need financial resources to purchase inputs, acquire equipment, improve infrastructure and manage production costs. The event will also focus on networking, allowing women farmers to establish connections with organisations and individuals who may help them develop their businesses. These discussions can help identify support needs and improve awareness of opportunities available within the agricultural sector.

More than 350 women farmers are expected to attend, representing different farming activities and women’s formations across the Free State. Participants will include women involved in livestock production, horticulture, animal production, crop farming and poultry enterprises, as well as women working in commonages. This broad representation will allow the event to address agricultural challenges affecting farmers with different production systems and business needs. Commonage farming is particularly relevant to communities where farmers use designated communal land for agricultural activities, often requiring coordinated access to resources and infrastructure. Bringing these different groups together can encourage collaboration and help participants learn from one another’s experiences.

The programme will also involve stakeholders from financial institutions, training and research organisations, state entities, national government departments and provincial departments. Their participation is intended to connect women farmers with relevant information, services and support opportunities. Representatives from these institutions will present programme information tailored to women operating agricultural businesses. Such engagement can help farmers better understand available support, including potential funding opportunities, training programmes and technical assistance. It can also give participating institutions a clearer understanding of the challenges women farmers face when trying to establish, manage or expand their enterprises.

Agricultural training and research will form an important part of the broader discussion because successful farming requires both practical experience and access to relevant knowledge. Farmers must make decisions about production methods, animal health, crop management, soil conditions, water use and changing market requirements. Access to suitable training can help women strengthen their technical skills and improve the management of their farming operations. Research institutions can also contribute knowledge that helps farmers understand production challenges and consider appropriate farming practices. Connecting women farmers with these services can support better-informed decisions and contribute to more sustainable agricultural businesses.

The focus on market access is equally important for women who want to turn agricultural production into reliable income. Producing livestock, crops, vegetables or poultry is only one part of running a successful farming enterprise. Farmers also need to understand buyer requirements, product quality standards, transport arrangements and the costs associated with getting goods to market. Opportunities to engage with relevant institutions and industry stakeholders can help women identify potential routes to market and improve their understanding of agricultural value chains. Stronger market connections may create opportunities for business growth, although the results will depend on each farmer’s production capacity, resources and market conditions.

Funding and access to productive resources will also be important considerations during the provincial gathering. Agricultural enterprises often require investment in seeds, fertilisers, livestock, feed, equipment, infrastructure and other essential inputs. Limited access to finance can make it difficult for farmers to increase production or respond to changing business needs. By bringing women farmers into contact with financial institutions and agricultural support organisations, the imbizo aims to improve engagement around these challenges. A clearer understanding of funding requirements and available programmes can help farmers make more informed decisions when seeking support for their businesses.

The provincial event follows district-level Women in Agriculture Imbizos hosted by DARDEA and WARD during September 2026. During these engagements, Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs Elzabe Rockman interacted with and engaged more than 1,200 women in agriculture from different districts. The district gatherings provided an opportunity to hear from women farmers and discuss issues affecting their participation in agricultural and rural development. The provincial imbizo will bring this engagement to a broader platform, with participation from women formations and institutions across the province. Together, these engagements reflect an effort to strengthen communication between women farmers, government and organisations involved in agricultural support.

Women’s participation in agriculture is important for rural economic development because farming can support household livelihoods, create business opportunities and contribute to local food supplies. However, farmers operate in different circumstances and may face challenges related to finance, land access, infrastructure, training and market participation. Addressing these issues requires cooperation between government, financial institutions, research bodies and the farming community. A provincial platform can help bring these concerns into a shared discussion and encourage stakeholders to consider practical responses. The long-term value of the imbizo will depend on whether the engagement leads to stronger connections, useful information and follow-up actions that benefit women farmers.

The event also supports wider objectives related to food security and inclusive economic growth in the Free State. A productive agricultural sector depends on farmers having the resources, knowledge and opportunities needed to maintain and grow their operations. Supporting women farmers can help broaden participation in agriculture and strengthen the contribution of farming businesses to rural communities. Improved access to training, finance and markets can help women identify opportunities to develop their enterprises and improve production. Continued engagement will be important to ensure that the needs raised during the imbizo inform future agricultural support and development initiatives.

The Free State Provincial Women in Agriculture Imbizo will take place on 13 and 14 October 2026, from 09:00 to 16:00 each day, at City Hall in Bloemfontein within the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The two-day gathering will bring together women farmers, government representatives and agricultural stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping women’s participation in farming. Through discussions on funding, market access, training, research and networking, the event aims to strengthen support for women in agriculture and rural development. Its success will depend on meaningful engagement and practical steps that help farmers apply the knowledge and connections gained during the gathering. By placing women farmers at the centre of these discussions, DARDEA and WARD aim to support a more inclusive, productive and sustainable agricultural sector in the Free State.