By Thandiwe Matsenjwa
MBABANE – In a remarkable display of dedication and commitment, four farmers from Eswatini have proudly represented their country at a women and youth knowledge-sharing and exchange conference in Kasane, Botswana.
The conference served as a platform for promoting knowledge among women and youth in agriculture, covering a diverse array of topics such as indigenous seeds, smallholder farmer challenges, traditional livestock integration, rainwater harvesting, digital farming, apiculture, aquaculture, alternative proteins, market access, loans, value addition, quality assurance, export capabilities, and mentorship opportunities.
Among the esteemed representatives from Eswatini are Phiwokuhle Shongwe, an organic farmer specialising in vegetables and herbs, and Mandla Langwenya, a bee specialist at Madze Investment. Langwenya not only supplies hardware, protective clothing, processing equipment, and packaging materials to beekeepers but also plays a vital role in the beekeeping value chain.
Additionally, Boniswa Dlamini, who grows baby and conventional vegetables, has been instrumental in supplying local supermarkets and hotels with her produce. Finally, Nkosephayo Manyatsi from Smiling Through has focused on bio fortified legume seed production and high-value crops, advocating for the potential of women and youth in building resilient and food-secure futures in Eswatini, accross SADC, and the African continent at large.
The conference was made possible by the efforts of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), who organised the impactful gathering. By bringing together farmers, experts and stakeholders, CCARDESA has succeeded in creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing.
As Eswatini proudly participated in this symposium, the country reaffirms its commitment to advancing agricultural practices and empowering women and youth in the sector. The invaluable experiences gained by the farmers from this event will undoubtedly contribute to building a more food-secure, climate-resilient, and equitable future not only in Eswatini but also across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African continent as a whole.
