An international campaign to level the playing field for female producers in agriculture is picking up steam. Women are vital to agriculture and rural businesses in emerging nations. The award-winning agronomist, Selina Sakupwanya, who is passionate about farming, is not surprised by the notion that eliminating the gender gap in agriculture would increase food production and have long-term advantages for farm families and their neighbors.
Land rights may be the biggest obstacle. Only 10 to 20% of landowners in developing nations are women, and in some regions of the world, women still do not have the legal right to own or govern land. It is impossible for a female farmer to establish contract farming arrangements that could bring higher profits and more consistent streams of revenue when she is not given the authority to make decisions regarding the land she cultivates.
Celina Sakupwanya (SS) was exclusively interviewed by AGRICMANIA reporter Almot Maqolo (AM). She talked about enhancing women's land rights and setting up circumstances that increase their access to land.
AM: Take us back to your earliest beginnings as an entrepreneur. What prompted you to venture into the agriculture sector? SS: The early days of farming were hectic. It was production without markets. I was also inexperienced in terms of dealing with the labour force, so I hired and fired every time, which gave a lot of instability. I was promoted to start farming because that is what I studied. At one point, I was jobless, but with an agriculture degree under my arm, I had to start farming. Above all, the economy we are surviving in needs entrepreneurship in any field that brings an income.
AM: What are the most significant barriers to women's advancement in the industry?
SS: Women, in most cases, do not own their own land; they trail behind men, so accessing loans and other resources proves to be hard. Having multiple tasks in home set up inhibits women from fully exploiting the industry compared to their male counterparts, who come into the game with no other responsibilities.
AM: What is your advice to young girls who want to venture into farming?
SS: The people eat every day, so the mantra is definitely correct, and it is all about selecting the most profitable enterprise. The market is there, both for export and domestically. More players are needed. I urge young girls to venture into this dynamic sector. It is so broad that one can specialise in animal husbandry, crop production, or agribusiness management. There is room for growth.
AM: In your experience, how important is mentoring in helping women rise to leadership positions in the agriculture industry?
SS: Not only will mentoring equip women in production, it will enlighten them on issues like marketing and better decision-making. As the saying goes, 'train a woman: train the whole world" It also promotes a more inclusive, forward-thinking working environment and ultimately helps towards maximising business performance, creativity, and opportunities such as funding.
AM: What are the most effective policies or approaches organizations can put in place to provide women with greater opportunities to develop in this industry?
SS: Equal access to resources. Land rights needs to be revised.
AM: What is your long-term strategy?
SS: I see myself exporting and expanding into ostrich production, wine making, and opening a school of agriculture for minors.
Pic: Selina Sakupwanya
