The awards ceremony, to be held in Clarens on Wednesday 7 August, is hosted by the provincial and national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Zimasa Leputla, the provincial department's spokesperson, told OFM News that the theme for this year's event is "Celebrating two decades of women victory in agriculture, forestry and fisheries".

Categories include: Best Subsistence producer as well as Top Entrepreneur in the sectors of smallholder, processing and commercial farming. There is also the MEC’s special award, recognising the achievements of an outstanding young person and/or a person with disabilities. According to Leputla, this was a particularly good year for the awards.

OFM News’ Vernon Baumann spoke to Leputla…

That was Zimasa Leputla, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

OFM News/Vernon Baumann