Minister Says Social Media Post Unfair to Sister Who Won Award

After the Farmers of the Year were announced, the social media platform Hot off the Press questioned the award given to Noemi Requena as Woman Farmer of the Year. The post suggested that Requena didn’t own a farm and was awarded simply because she is the sister of a government minister. News Five visited Requena at her farm in Cattle Landing and aired the story on Tuesday night. Today, her brother, Minister Oscar Requena, shared his thoughts, calling the post unkind and unfair to a woman who has worked hard on her farm. He emphasized that he didn’t even know she had been selected for the title. The Minister also highlighted that the recognition of all three Farmers of the Year reflects their dedication and hard work.

 

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“We grew up doing agriculture and, you know, even after this day, I do agriculture, practicing sustainable, agricultural techniques. And I’m happy that my sister has followed suit, and I want to say that I’m very glad that News Five saw it fit to run the story, based on your independent research and verification, that indeed she has a farm and that she works very hard. Sadly, you have some media houses, and I want to particularly call out and single out Hot Off the Press. I think they were very, very – they did a disservice to somebody who has really worked hard and dedicated her life to agriculture, but we live in a world where, many times things are not fair. At the end of the day, I think she has proven herself and her record is there to speak and there is nothing to hide, as the minister responsible for that area. And certainly, her being my sister, I never knew that she was even being considered as the Woman Farmer of the Year, so it was a surprise to me.”