THE FUSE

FNB has launched a dedicated funding initiative aimed at helping women-owned and women-led agricultural businesses reduce financing costs and invest in their next stage of growth. The initiative comes as the agricultural sector continues to examine the barriers that prevent many women from expanding their businesses and participating more strongly in commercial agriculture. Discussions at Nampo Cape highlighted challenges including access to finance, markets, production capital and resources needed to expand processing and other value-added activities. FNB says the new funding initiative is designed to respond to some of these challenges by providing qualifying businesses with access to dedicated funding. The move could give women in agriculture greater room to invest, expand their operations and strengthen their position across the agricultural value chain.