Lekwa Together Farming, a women-led agricultural cooperative based in Standerton, Mpumalanga, is sowing new seeds of opportunity, this time in the world of baking. Having built a solid reputation as trusted local vegetable producers through years of successful crop cultivation, the group is now venturing into agro-processing with the launch of Lekwa Together Bakery.
This shift marks more than just business diversification; it’s a strategic leap towards sustainability, job creation, and broader community upliftment. With a strong business plan and a proactive mindset, the team has already sourced quotations for essential baking equipment and outlined clear steps toward implementation.
For years, Lekwa Together Farming has grown food that feeds families and fuels township markets. But like many smallholder farmers, they faced barriers to growth from unpredictable climate conditions to seasonal income and low margins on raw produce.
Instead of letting the obstacles define them, the group began having conversations around sustainability and long term strategy, and from those discussions, the concept of a bakery was born.
Now, with a detailed plan and community-driven vision, these women are preparing to launch not just a bakery, but a local enterprise with purpose. Their goal is to supply fresh bread and baked goods to families, spaza shops, school feeding schemes, and street vendors.
“As women who have worked the soil with our bare hands, we understand the value of every seed, every harvest, and now, every loaf. Our bakery is more than a business venture, it’s a symbol of reinvention, and responsibility to our community,”
“For us this is just the beginning. We want our story to show that rural women are not just farmers, we are entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders shaping the future of food in South Africa”.
With support from Seriti Institute, the group will soon be able to procure the remaining materials, kickstart operations, and begin operations.
At the heart of this journey is a deeper mission: to uplift women in agriculture. Lekwa Together Farming stands as a bold example of what’s possible when women are given equal footing.
Through this transition, Lekwa Together Farming is not only reshaping their own livelihoods but also inspiring a new generation of women to see agriculture as a space for leadership, innovation, and enterprise.
