Uplifting and empowering women in farming

An agricultural summit taking place later this year aims to bring together women from across Namibia working in the sector.

The Women and Agriculture Summit will take place on 27 and 28 September at the National Theatre of Namibia through virtual workshops.

According to a statement, the summit is in its second year and promises to be a unique gathering, uniting stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to address the challenges faced by women in agriculture while highlighting immense opportunities.

This year, the summit will be centred on the theme 'leveraging technology and innovation to unleash the potential of agriculture and value addition', it said.

It will aim to explore the profound impact that technology and innovation can have on the agricultural sector, particularly in unlocking its full potential and promoting value addition.



Crucial platform

The theme underscores the critical role technological advancements and innovative practices play in empowering farmers, driving sustainable development and creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.

"The Women and Agriculture Summit provides a crucial platform for women to network, share best practices and collaborate on solutions that empower them to overcome the barriers hindering their full participation in the agricultural sector," event founder and coordinator Paulina Mbango said.

The two-day event seeks to highlight the pivotal role women play in driving sustainable development and food security, she added.

"The platform further creates an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work various organisations and government agencies do in providing assistance and support to ensure the success of female farmers."



Backbone of economies

The summit aims to achieve several key objectives.

Firstly, it aims to create awareness about the contributions and potential of women in agriculture, emphasising the importance of their participation in this sector.

Then, it seeks to facilitate knowledge-exchange and capacity-building by offering interactive workshops, panel discussions and presentations that address critical areas such as access to finance, technology adoption and market linkages.

It also aims to promote dialogue with industry leaders on strategies, investments and financing that would enable women to play a more significant role in the agricultural sector.

According to the African Development Bank, agriculture is the backbone of many African economies, providing employment, income and food security for millions of people.



Exploring evolving issues

However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, limited access to resources and gender disparities.

Additionally, the changing business landscape - coupled with global disruptions including the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine war - has further highlighted the importance of prioritising agriculture in Africa.

"These disruptions have underscored the need for self-sufficiency, food security and resilient supply chains."

The statement said the summit will be used as a platform to explore how these evolving circumstances shape and influence the agriculture sector in Namibia, identifying strategies to mitigate risks and maximise opportunities - especially among vulnerable farmers such as women.

Furthermore, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise various sectors.

While AI may have the potential to negatively impact job security, it also offers exciting opportunities to fast-track sectors such as agriculture by improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability, it read.

As part of the overall theme, the summit will provide an opportunity to delve into the role of technology in agriculture, exploring its potential to empower farmers, enhance decision-making processes and drive innovation.