Ms Pearl Ranna- A
Game Changer is someone who does what people think is impossible by paving a
way for development in their respected field and leading people to where they
ought to be. You have to be different in a way that people feel your presence
even when you are not there. To leave a mark and never be forgotten for the
change you brought to life and the people you have been able to help by
re-writing the rules, the way God wants you to. A game-changer is wired
differently.
Pearl Ranna
Pearl
Ranna does not fit the typical farmer look, but it seems she does not follow
the rules that society has set. As a young person, and a woman she has surely
broken the rules as she is the Director of Unitech Farming, and currently
working on a Community development initiatives both national and global as
their social entrepreneurship objectives.
Only 24 years old, yet she has established her name in the Agriculture
sector, as she is known for organizing the first ever Women in Farming Expo
last year. Pearl is such a determined young lady, and a treasure in the
development of our country through Agriculture.
The Unitech Farming Director confesses that she actually hated farming at first, but her mother introduced her to farming and urged her to do more research and she was quite enthralled with what she found out, and that is how it all started.
Currently
studying her Masters of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development , she believes that
with the knowledge she is acquiring, she will bring back a different
perspective on how the Agricultural industry can be made more sustainable, and
Botswana more food secure in order to address the issue of poverty and hunger.
“There is so much that needs to be done with
adopting farming systems and techniques that are safe for our environment while
adapting to Climate Change and being efficient with the resources that we use
on a day to day basis. But it all begins with involving all the necessary
stakeholders beginning with farmers and building our way up to sustainable
agricultural development and increasing food production.”, she translates.
Pearl Ranna is anything but average, but she
says that was not always the case as she used to believe she was not smart since
she was a slow learner. Even thou she put more effort in her studies, her
grades were not pleasing.
“All my friends and relatives did better than
me and it made me feel like I did not belong in the field of academics hence
why I resulted into Sports. But luckily I did well in High school enough to
proceed to tertiary, and that is where I fell in love with Business Entrepreneurship
since I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. The love I had rebuilt my
confidence and I felt a sense of belonging as I now knew I wanted to be a
business woman when I completed my studies. “, she gloats.
With
the potential to become anything, Pearl Ranna says if she was to be president
she would invest more in the Agriculture sector especially Research and
Development, Improve and enlarge the Manufacturing Industry and Introduce more
sustainable and lucrative international export markets for Local products and
services. This resilient young lady considers
that Agricultural Investment is really
lacking in the Agricultural Industry, and further stresses that Investing in
Agriculture can result in the quality of agricultural resource improvement
because some activities become less labour-intensive thus improving the quality
and quantity of production.
“Another
benefit is supplying raw materials for manufacturing and processing can improve
other sectors and improve the economy. It’s important to note that without agricultural
investment, people will continue to suffer from hunger in rural areas, and this
is also necessary to improve the livelihoods of Batswana. Agriculture is a
sector that does not only involve farming but there is a whole long value chain
that benefits from the primary sector activities and without them, our markets will
continue to fail and external costs and factors will also rise and have a
negative impact on things such as food prices, farm lands being neglected,
farmers getting into more debt and an increase in our current food import bill”,
she states.
Ranna further states that learning something new every day feeds her soul with inspiration to do something, and in the next five years, she is determined to have obtained a PhD Degree, and be a female Leader for both Youth and Women, in the Farming Sector. She advises that “to be great does not come as easy as having an idea, but you need to get up and do it or else someone else will do it before you.”
Fun
facts about Pearl (What she says)
Name three
things that people do not know about Pearl...
*Even though people know I am a black belt, I
hate fighting.
*I have a fear of watching animals being
slaughtered
*I don’t eat Pork, Goat and Sheep
Pearl’s bucket
list...
*To
get a placement in the World Food Program or United Nations Environmental
Program in a country experiencing extreme poverty and hunger
*To
enrol for a PhD study
*To
buy a Holiday house in Greece
Three people who
inspire Pearl
*The late Evelyn Nguleka – she was the Zambian National
Farmers Union President and the World Food Organization President. I love the
fact that she is a Woman who had great leadership skills in the Farming
industry and did an outstanding job both on a National and International level,
and at the same time being a farmer and Business Woman.
*My
Mother – She has grown to be my best friend, my mentor and I have learnt a lot
from her especially being confident and believing in myself even when no one
else did, she has stood by me in every situation of life, and when it was time
for me to become a strong independent woman, she stood by me and let me do
everything she has taught me all my life.
*My
Father – When I was young I saw my dad leave his job and start his own
business, of ‘course it was not easy but his passion and determination to do
great and achieve his goals taught me a lot in life about not giving up in your
dreams and having faith even when everyone doesn’t support your decision or
believe in you. I continue to look up to him because he constantly reminds me
of how strong, precious and rare I am just like my name ‘’Pearl’’ and this
alone gives me enough courage to turn all my dreams into reality.
Best childhood memory
*Singing
and dancing for my late Grandmother
