Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture at UNIVEN Launches Annual Women in Farming Initiative

The University of Venda (UNIVEN), through its Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture (FSEA), celebrated Women’s Month by hosting the inaugural Women in Farming Workshop under the theme, “Celebrating Women in Agriculture: Building Sustainable Agroprocessing Value Chains.” Organized through the University of Venda Experimental Farm, the workshop brought together approximately 200 women farmers from the Thulamela, Collins Chabane, Musina, Makhado and Waterberg municipalities, alongside academics, government officials, financial institutions, industry representatives and development partners. The workshop is the first of its kind at the University and marks the launch of an annual Women’s Month initiative dedicated to celebrating, inspiring and empowering women in agriculture. It also forms part of the Faculty’s farmer development workshop series, which serves as a build-up to the University’s Annual Farmers’ Day, promoting knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships that strengthen sustainable agricultural development.

Opening the workshop, Prof Natasha Potgieter, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, highlighted the vital role women play in agriculture as farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders. She reaffirmed UNIVEN’s commitment to ensuring that research and innovation translate into practical solutions that strengthen communities, improve livelihoods and advance sustainable agricultural development through collaboration with government and industry.

Ms Thifheli Kutama, Manager of the University of Venda Experimental Farm, explained that the workshop was established to bridge the gap between research and farming practice by providing women with practical skills, expert knowledge and networking opportunities. She encouraged participants to remain resilient and recognise their contribution to food security, employment creation and rural economic development.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof Eucebious Lekalakala-Mokgele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, called on women to embrace leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship across the agricultural value chain. She emphasised that women’s full participation is essential to transforming agriculture, strengthening rural economies and ensuring national food security.

Ms Kholofelo Malatji, Farm Manager at Mathuba Genetics, motivated the participants about her journey in Agriculture: breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of female farmers.

200 participants from Thulamela, Collins Chabane, Makhado and Musina local municipalities at the annual women in farming workshop

The workshop featured several expert presentations addressing key aspects of sustainable agriculture. Dr Konanani Liphadzi encouraged women to treat agriculture as a business by embracing agro-processing, climate-smart farming and value addition to increase profitability and reduce post-harvest losses, while outlining plans for a world-class Agro-processing Institute.

Dr M Maselesele and Dr J Webb highlighted preventative livestock healthcare as critical to improving animal productivity and sustainable farming.

Focusing on financial sustainability, UNIVEN Chief Financial Officer, Ms Mavis Madzhie emphasised financial literacy, budgeting, record-keeping, cash flow management, pricing and risk management as essential tools for building profitable farming enterprises. She encouraged women to reinvest profits, diversify their businesses and utilise available funding opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

Women in key positions at the University of Venda are supporting the annual women in farming workshop

Ms Nomvula Phiri outlined the financial and business development support available through the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in expanding and improving competitiveness.

Ms Namadzavho Sikhipa stressed the importance of partnerships among universities, government, financial institutions and the private sector to improve women’s access to land, finance, technology, skills development and markets.

Closing the event, Ms Beauty Mutheiwana, Director of Supply Chain Management and Expenditure, described the workshop as a transformative platform that recognised women as entrepreneurs, innovators, employers and drivers of food security and rural development. She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained and continue working collaboratively to build sustainable agro-processing value chains.
Overall, the workshop reinforced UNIVEN’s commitment to community engagement, demonstrating how research, innovation and education can empower women farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains, promote food security and contribute to sustainable rural economic transformation. The inaugural Women in Farming Workshop established a strong foundation for continued support for women in agriculture and positioned them as key contributors to South Africa’s agricultural future.

A group photo taken at the Research Conference Centre during the briefing

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University Of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811