INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN 2023
“Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for ALL” is this year’s theme for International Day of Rural Women. This recognition started fifteen years ago by the UN General Assembly established it in a resolution 62/136 of on 18th December, 2007, celebration commenced from 15th October, 2008. This was done to identify and highlight the pivotal contribution and function of women in Agriculture, Rural Development, Improving Food Security and Eliminating Poverty especially in the rural areas of the world.
Locally, like most places our female farmers and Agro-processors are rural women. However, unlike most place they are very respected and receive the necessary support and assistance they need. On island, this assistance is given through International Organizations like CARDI, FAO, IICA and locally from GARDC and the Ministry of Agriculture. The support ranges from trainings, donations of farming implements, seeds/planting materials and other concessions.
It can be said that there is “Gender Equality” within the Agricultural sector unlike the stories that are circulated of other countries pertaining to the “Rights and Equality” of their women and girls. The Ministry of Agriculture pays tribute to our female producers and enterprises for their sterling contribution towards Food Safety, Security, Sovereignty and Zero Hunger, thus Leaving No One Behind.
Local Agricultural businesses owned and operated by females
Farms/Backyard gardens/Agro-businesses | TYPE | Owners/Managers |
SEAZONZ – LETTUCES | HYDROPONIC | Margo Forde, Roberta Williams & Carolyn McCoy |
Bajez Soaps | AGRO-PROCESSING | Cheryl Samuel
|
WEAVERS FARM | MIXED FARM | Mitsey Weaver, Annell Weaver & Beverly Weaver-Samuel |
SDA SCHOOL FARM | CROPS, POULTRY & EGGS | Yonette Patrick |
Echelon Enterprise Farm | GRAPES & BERRIES | Julia Roberts |
Nzinga Vege & Seedlings Farm | Vegetable & Seedlings | Marilena Davis aka Nzinga |
Beth’s Buy Pure Organic Honey | Beekeeping | Nicole Browne |
Mek-Um Brandz268 | Agro-processing | Noelia King |
El Unikue Enterprise | Agro-processing | Elise Maudlyn Phillip |
Crop Farming | Roseann Pyle | |
Mavis Fishing Enterprise
|
Fish vending/ Fishing gear & materials Merchant | Mavis George |
DeBees | Agro-processing/Beekeeping | Davina Joyce |
Fishing | Shinel Leo | |
MBS Enterprise | Hydroponic Farming | Mrs. Monique Barrow |
More women working in the Agricultural Sector in Antigua and Barbuda
Professions – Placement | Roles/positions | Names |
Veterinary Services – Veterinary & Livestock Div./ Ministry of Agriculture | Veterinarian | Dr. Diandra Payne
Dr. Chere Kellman Dr. Nneka Hull-James |
Pestology – Extension Division/
Ministry of Agriculture |
Pestologist | Ms. Oniecia Anthony |
Livestock Division – Ministry of Agriculture | Livestock Officer | Ms. Diahann Gomes |
Statistics, IT & Research Department – Ministry of Agriculture | Researcher/Data collector
Statistician Lab technician/Instructor |
Ms. Emerald David
Mrs. Anesta Edwards Ms. Bernella Vidal |
Agricultural Extension Division – Ministry of Agriculture | Backyard garden Facilitator
Agricultural Assistant III |
Ms. Efuru Elihu
Mrs. Petranilla Estreada-Joseph |
GARDC | Executive Director | Mrs. June Jackson |
Forestry Unit – Ministry of Agriculture | Forestry Assistant | Mrs. Camillia Wallace-Tonge |
Plant Protection Unit – Ministry of Agriculture | Chief Plant Protection Officer | Dr. Janil Gore-Francis |
Sir Novelle Richards Secondary School – Ministry of Education
|
Agricultural Science Teacher | Ms. Elise Phillip |
SDA Secondary School | Agricultural Science Teacher | Mrs. Yonette Patrick |
Ministry of Education | Agricultural Science Education Officer | Mrs. Nicolette Francis |
Ministry of Agriculture | Senior Research Officer | Mrs. Maude Vere Bradford |
Agricultural Extension Division | Agricultural Extension Officer | Ms. Anika Aska |
CARDI | Seeds Lab Assistant | Ms. Carol Josiah |
JAL TRAINING & CONSULTANCY SERVICES | Agricultural consultant/Trainer | Ms. Julie-
Ann Laudat |
The Ministry of Agriculture would like to implore upon females to keeping on striving as it has been seen over the years that more and more women have and everyday been expanding their scopes within the sector. Further, the Ministry would like to extend heartfelt congratulations and wish All in a happy “International Day of Rural Women” and Kudos to All of the WOMEN in Agriculture!
WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE