What began as backyard subsistence farming is steadily evolving into a source of household food security and meaningful income, highlighting the economic potential of women-led micro-agriculture in rural areas.
South Africa continues to face high levels of food insecurity, particularly in rural communities where unemployment remains widespread, and household incomes are unstable.
Research by agricultural development bodies has consistently shown that small-scale farming plays a critical role in supplementing household food supply and reducing expenditure, especially when led by women, who are often responsible for food provision at the household level.
Through a recent intervention by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), women in the village of Kabe near Mahikeng in North West now have access to basic agricultural tools, which is changing how women participate in the local economy.
They received essential farming tools to support household food production. The initiative aims to help families reduce food costs while enabling surplus production that can be sold locally, creating opportunities for informal trade and income generation.
Shift from subsistence to income-based farming
The shift from subsistence farming to income generation started small but grew with time for Koketso Tlhabi.
“I come from a deep rural area, and I am an upcoming farmer who started with a backyard garden,” Tlhabi said.
Tlhabi explained that this initiative gave her hope.
“The Mahikeng Local Municipality’s LED unit gave me a similar support package. At first, I planted for my family, but as the garden grew, I started selling to neighbours. It gives people hope that you don’t have to sit and wait, you can do something for yourself,” she said.
Her experience reflects a growing shift in Kabe, where women are increasingly viewing household farming as a micro-economic activity rather than a survival strategy.
Another beneficiary, Keabetswe Methikga, said limited access to equipment previously made consistent production difficult.
“Some days we had to borrow tools, and on other days we couldn’t plant at all. Now we can grow enough food for our families and even sell produce to support our children,” Methikga said.
She added that protective nets have reduced crop losses caused by birds, allowing for more reliable yields.
“Now we can plan properly, grow enough food for our families and even sell produce to support our children. The nets also help protect our crops from birds, which used to destroy a lot of what we planted,” she said.
North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Madoda Sambatha said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen local food systems and support women’s participation in agriculture.
“By investing in food production at the household level, we are addressing hunger while also creating opportunities for self-reliance and income generation,” Sambatha added.
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