Overcoming obstacles: Award-winning goat farmer celebrates Women’s Month

Mashudu Mambo

DESPITE their essential role in agriculture, women face numerous challenges that limit their productivity and ability to participate fully in agricultural development.

These challenges include gender-based violence, limited access to education, training, land ownership, finance, technology and markets.

They also lack access to essential resources like land, water and seeds, hindering their productivity and income.

Furthermore, cultural and traditional barriers often prevent women from owning land and participating in decision-making processes. As the world celebrates International Women’s Month, we celebrate Sifiso Agbetorwoka from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South province, a recent winner of the National Goat Breeder Award, who has been excelling in the male-dominated field of goat farming.

The theme of the International Women’s month is “Inspire Inclusion” which emphasises on the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.

The goal of the celebration is to raise awareness on the achievements of women in social, economic and political aspects worldwide.

Agbetorwoka is a mental health nurse by profession who started farming in 2012.

“I am a qualified mental health nurse; I worked in the United Kingdom as a dementia clinical nurse specialist before taking up farming in Fort Rixon in 2012.

“At Bulembe Farm, we specialise in goat breeding and growing crops such as lucerne and maize for silage,” she said.

Agbetorwoka offers a variety of goat breeding programmes.

“My passion lies in assisting aspiring goat breeders to set up their own businesses through our diverse training programmes and events, such as the Goat Breeding Masterclasses and the 14-day bootcamps. I also offer training and consultancy services to farm owners who wish to diversify into goat breeding or scale up their existing goat enterprises,” she said.

Agbetorwoka has faced a number of challenges as a goat farmer, but she has managed to overcome these obstacles.

“My journey as a farmer has been a rollercoaster of learning experiences, including unexpected turns.

“Despite gaining confidence in horticulture, a drought hit our region, impacting the water table and forcing me to reconsider my farming options.

“In January 2019, we took the leap of faith and purchased our first nine breeding females and from that point on, our focus shifted entirely to goat breeding.

“The transition has been rewarding and I have found a deep sense of fulfilment in this new venture,” she said.

Agbetorwoka said she was motivated by contributing to the agricultural industry and the importance of sustainable food production.

“Several factors influenced my decision to venture into agriculture, including the desire to build a sustainable source of income for my family, a passion for agricultural pursuits, and a belief in the importance of sustainable food production,” she said.

She highlighted the various challenges women face in male-dominated industries.

“Women in male-dominated industries, like goat farming, face unique challenges.

“Livestock farming in general tends to be male-dominated and accessing funding can be a significant hurdle for women looking to scale their businesses.

“In the African context, these challenges are magnified by cultural and societal norms, such as the expectation that women take on primary domestic responsibilities.

“In many cases, financial institutions may require collateral, which can be difficult for women to provide as assets are often held in their husbands’ names,” she said.

Agbetorwoka encouraged women pursuing agriculture to be consistent, reminding them of the many rewards that farming can offer.

“While farming demands hard work, patience and resilience, it also offers profound opportunities for personal fulfilment and innovation. I emphasise the multifaceted nature of this pursuit — the rewards alongside the challenges.”

“For aspiring female farmers, I strongly encourage them to immerse themselves in learning and seek mentorship from experienced individuals within the agricultural community.”

“To achieve long-term success in the industry, aspiring female farmers should not only seek mentorship from experienced individuals within the agricultural community but also develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainable farming practices, animal welfare, and market dynamics,” she said.