According to Stats SA data, approximately 40,000 commercial farms operate in South Africa; however, the share of farms owned by women is only about 20%, indicating persistent challenges in agricultural sector transformation.
During a discussion within Women's Month on agricultural transformation, Zanele Maybelen, Head of Agricultural Product Portfolio at FNB Commercial, noted that while policies and programs aimed at promoting gender and racial equality have shifted the discourse, practical obstacles continue to limit women's participation and ownership in commercial agriculture.
In Maybelen's view, the issue is not merely women's involvement in agriculture, but their ability to transition from small-scale and informal activities to viable farming enterprises that can grow, withstand shocks, and compete commercially.
Many women remain engaged in informal agriculture, where access to formal markets, financing, and support systems is often restricted. Maybelen emphasized that formal markets require businesses to meet standards regarding quality, volume, and timely delivery, and small enterprises frequently struggle to meet these requirements, hindering their entry into these markets.
This creates an additional financial hurdle. Without access to formal markets, farmers often face difficulties demonstrating historical performance, projected revenue, and commercial demand—factors crucial when financial institutions assess funding applications.
Maybelen added that access to finance is only part of the solution. Commercial success also depends on access to markets, infrastructure, technical expertise, and opportunities across the entire agricultural value chain. She observed a shift away from the traditional lending approach, which focused solely on financing, as the importance of comprehensive support became evident.
An example of this integrated approach is the collaboration between FNB Agriculture and the Citrus Growers’ Association and the Jobs Fund. This initiative utilizes blended finance to support economic transformation within the citrus industry.
According to FNB, this program has helped producers establish and expand orchards, restore existing operations, invest in critical farm infrastructure, and build more resilient agricultural businesses. Maybelen concluded that by combining financing with skills development and enterprise support, the initiative has helped producers strengthen their operations and prepare for long-term growth.
This model reflects a broader shift that, in Maybelen's opinion, is necessary for agricultural transformation: moving beyond focusing solely on finance to integrating accessible funding with the practical assistance farmers need to improve production, build capacity, and secure commercial opportunities.