The North West province is rolling out the red carpet for its agricultural stars, with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) officially opening entries for the 2026 Youth and Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards — a celebration of the young people and women who are feeding the nation and growing its economy.
The annual awards recognise the vital contribution of women and youth in agriculture while actively promoting their participation in the sector as a driver of food security, job creation and economic growth in the province.
A Platform for Excellence
North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, said the awards serve as an important platform to acknowledge excellence in agriculture, while encouraging young farmers and women entrepreneurs to remain committed to the sector.
“The competition is open to youth- and women-owned agricultural enterprises operating in the North West province and meeting the required eligibility criteria. Participation in the youth category is limited to individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. Enterprises must be at least 80% owned, managed, and operated by youth or women,” Sambatha said.
Entries close on Friday, 28 August 2026, and winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony during Heritage Month in September — a fitting stage for celebrating homegrown agricultural talent.
Eight Categories, Endless Inspiration
The 2026 awards will recognise achievers across eight categories:
- Best Youth/Woman Subsistence Farmer
- Best Youth/Woman Smallholder Farmer
- Best Youth/Woman Commercial Farmer
- Best Youth/Woman Exporter
- Best Youth/Woman Person with Disability
- Best Youth/Woman Agro-Processor
- Best Youth/Woman Worker
- Overall Youth/Woman Winner
The range of categories reflects the full spectrum of agricultural enterprise — from the subsistence farmer feeding a family and community, to the commercial exporter flying the South African flag in international markets. The dedicated category for persons with disabilities underlines the province’s commitment to an agricultural sector where everyone can excel.
How to Enter
Interested farmers and agri-entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact their district coordinators to obtain application forms, or to visit their nearest district or local agriculture office for assistance. Further enquiries can be directed to the Provincial Project Coordinator, Poiho Ramotlatsi.
The department said all applications will undergo a verification process in line with the competition rules, with shortlisted projects assessed through site visits before final nominees are confirmed — ensuring the awards go to genuinely deserving enterprises.
Initiatives like these matter far beyond the awards evening itself. Agriculture remains one of South Africa’s most powerful engines for rural employment and food security, and the young people and women building agricultural businesses in the North West are the sector’s future. By shining a spotlight on their achievements, the province is planting seeds of inspiration that will be harvested for generations.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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