By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK, July 12 — Namibia is gearing up for the second edition of the Women and Agriculture Summit, scheduled to take place on September 27th at the NTN and through virtual workshops on September 28th. The summit aims to address the challenges faced by women in agriculture while highlighting the immense opportunities that lie ahead. Bringing together female farmers, women in the agricultural sector, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts from across Namibia, this unique gathering seeks to empower women in agriculture and promote sustainable development.
Under the theme “Leveraging Technology and Innovation to Unleash the Potential of Agriculture and Value Addition,” this year’s summit will explore the profound impact that technology and innovation can have on the agricultural sector. The theme emphasizes the crucial role that technological advancements and innovative practices play in empowering farmers, driving sustainable development, and creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
Paulina Mbango, the event founder and coordinator, stated that the Women and Agriculture Summit provides a crucial platform for women to network, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions to overcome the barriers hindering their full participation in the agricultural sector. The two-day event aims to highlight the pivotal role of women in driving sustainable development and food security in Namibia. It also recognizes the organizations and government agencies that provide assistance and support to ensure the success of female farmers.
The summit aims to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to create awareness about the contributions and potential of women in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of their participation in the sector. Secondly, it aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations. These sessions will address critical areas such as access to finance, technology adoption, and market linkages. Lastly, the summit 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.
Agriculture serves as the backbone of many African economies, providing employment, income, and food security for millions of people. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, limited access to resources, and gender disparities. The changing business landscape and global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have further highlighted the importance of prioritizing agriculture in Africa. The Women and Agriculture Summit provides a platform to explore how these evolving circumstances shape and influence the agricultural sector in Namibia. It identifies strategies to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities, particularly among vulnerable farmers, such as women.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including agriculture. While AI may pose challenges to job security, it also offers exciting opportunities to fast-track agriculture by improving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. As part of the overall theme, the summit will delve into the role of technology in agriculture, exploring its potential to empower farmers, enhance decision-making processes, and drive innovation.
The Women and Agriculture Summit has garnered support from various partners, including FNB Namibia, the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF), AvaGro, AgriBank, Agra, Feedmaster, Energy100, Namfarmers, and the Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN). These partnerships reflect the shared commitment to advancing women’s empowerment in agriculture and driving sustainable development in Namibia.
For more information about the Women and Agriculture Summit, including registration and updates, please visit the official website at www.agri-women.com. The summit promises to be an enriching experience for all participants, fostering collaboration and inspiring actionable solutions to empower women in agriculture and unlock the sector’s full potential.
– Namibia Daily News
