Nestlé and Farming in Heels Partner to Empower Young Women in Agriculture

Nestlé recently hosted its Farming in Heels event, a platform designed to inspire and equip young people and women to explore opportunities in agriculture. The event, in partnership with Farming in Heels since 2023, provides practical knowledge, mentorship, and guidance to help participants transform ideas into thriving agricultural ventures.

Comfort Ndivhuho Tshisikule, Youth and Learning & Development Lead at Nestlé, alluded that the event forms part of the company’s Nestle needs Youth, a global program launched ten years ago to drive youth empowerment and economic inclusion.

“Our objective is to reach 10 million young people by 2030,” Comfort explained, “through three core pillars employment and employability, entrepreneurship, and agripreneurship.”

Building Employment and Employability

The employment and employability pillar focuses on integrating young talent into the workforce through internships, graduate programs, mentorships, and inclusive schemes for people with disabilities. It also emphasizes preparing youth for the workplace, working closely with higher education institutions to ensure academic learning aligns with industry needs.

The entrepreneurship pillar encourages young people to transform ideas into viable businesses. Nestlé’s Youth Entrepreneurship Platform offers free e-learning content covering ideation, prototyping, and business development, complemented by mentorship from Nestlé experts and industry professionals.

The third pillar, agripreneurship, encourages youth to see the value in agriculture as a viable career path. Launched in partnership with Farming in Heels in 2023, the platform provides practical guidance and mentorship from experienced farmers. Participants engage in masterclasses, such as the poultry farming session, which equip them with skills to start and manage businesses, from broiler production to layers.

The response to Farming in Heels has been overwhelmingly positive. Since 2024, the initiative has reached nearly 500 young women and men in the agricultural sector. Attendees have cited the practical insights into funding, policy navigation, and compliance as particularly valuable. “This isn’t just theory,” Comfort said. “Participants learn what funders are actually looking for and how to navigate policies that affect their operations.”

Emphasizing Compliance and Market Readiness

Professional farming goes beyond simply growing crops; it demands strict adherence to compliance and food-safety standards. Agriculture compliance specialist Tamsin Mzozoyana, who spoke at the event, highlighted the critical role of certifications such as ISO 22000 in ensuring safe production. She emphasized the importance of meticulous record-keeping and traceability, including documenting seed varieties, irrigation schedules, pest control measures, and chemical withdrawal periods. “Market access isn’t just about growing produce,” Mzozoyana said. “It’s about demonstrating safe and consistent production, protecting consumers, and building credibility with buyers.”

Challenging Stereotypes in Agriculture

Importantly, the program challenges the stereotype that farming is only for older generations. By promoting youth and women’s participation, it places agriculture as a dynamic and rewarding profession. Partnerships with financial institutions, government departments, and accredited agricultural training centers ensure that participants have access to the resources and support needed to succeed.

Read more about Nestle and farming in heels HERE