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News Article - Agriculture
DoA awards woman farmer
Posted on: Friday, 01 September 2006. Article source: Daily Dispatch
Nomhle Makawula-Chimusoro made Eastern Cape women proud this month when she was named the province's best female farmer in the national market category in a competition organised by the Department of Agriculture.
Now Makawula-Chimusoro, 38, of Bluemendal Farm in East London, will represent the province in the National Female Farmer Awards in Durban this month.
She received a prize of R20000.
"Although this award came as a surprise to me, and I didn't expect it, I never doubted my efforts when I first invested in this project," she said.
Makawula-Chimusoro, a mother of three, started her tomato project in 2004 with assistance from a financial institution.
Hardly two years in the farming have industry, and she had 25 tomato tunnels which hold about 900 plants each.
She has 12 employees on her farm, which produces three harvests a year.
Makawula-Chimusoro grew up in a farming family and wanted to continue the tradition.
Her project has many challenges.
"Farming is a risky step to take but if you conduct a feasibility study before you commit yourself, you won't regret the money and effort you put into your business when it pays off well."
Makawula-Chimusoro supplies Mthatha, Mdantsane Fruit and Vegetables, Spar supermarkets and other local stores with her produce.
However, being a mother and a farmer is not an easy task for Makawula-Chimusoro.
"My children always complain that I don't have time for them, but I always do the best I can to satisfy them with the little time I get when they are on holidays.
"Though I try, I still find it difficult to balance the two, but with support from my husband, things are going smoothly," she said, adding that farmers from neighbouring farms also played an important role in assisting her throughout the project.
Agriculture Department communications manager Fikile Black said the department was proud to have a young successful farmer who will represent the province.
"Makawula-Chimusoro has proved that she can make it. She showed us that women are the ambassadors of this province," Black said.
Now Makawula-Chimusoro, 38, of Bluemendal Farm in East London, will represent the province in the National Female Farmer Awards in Durban this month.
She received a prize of R20000.
"Although this award came as a surprise to me, and I didn't expect it, I never doubted my efforts when I first invested in this project," she said.
Makawula-Chimusoro, a mother of three, started her tomato project in 2004 with assistance from a financial institution.
Hardly two years in the farming have industry, and she had 25 tomato tunnels which hold about 900 plants each.
She has 12 employees on her farm, which produces three harvests a year.
Makawula-Chimusoro grew up in a farming family and wanted to continue the tradition.
Her project has many challenges.
"Farming is a risky step to take but if you conduct a feasibility study before you commit yourself, you won't regret the money and effort you put into your business when it pays off well."
Makawula-Chimusoro supplies Mthatha, Mdantsane Fruit and Vegetables, Spar supermarkets and other local stores with her produce.
However, being a mother and a farmer is not an easy task for Makawula-Chimusoro.
"My children always complain that I don't have time for them, but I always do the best I can to satisfy them with the little time I get when they are on holidays.
"Though I try, I still find it difficult to balance the two, but with support from my husband, things are going smoothly," she said, adding that farmers from neighbouring farms also played an important role in assisting her throughout the project.
Agriculture Department communications manager Fikile Black said the department was proud to have a young successful farmer who will represent the province.
"Makawula-Chimusoro has proved that she can make it. She showed us that women are the ambassadors of this province," Black said.
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