BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – Meet Lizzy Msane (33), a young woman farmer with a clear vision for her future in agriculture.
Msane has taken her passion for farming and turned it into a successful agribusiness, thanks to her hard work and determination. She credits her participation in the Woman Farmer Foundation’s (WFF) protective farming program as a turning point in her journey. Through the program, she gained valuable knowledge and skills to set clear goals for her business.
The farmer grew up in a rural farming community in Khubutha, Eswatini, where she learned the trade from her father. Even though he was a successful farmer, he never had the resources to expand his operations. Lizzy was inspired by his dedication and passion, and she resolved to build on his legacy.
Msane started farming in 2021 and in 2022, she went commercial, supplying shops such as Galitos and Boxer Superstores in Nhlangano. She also supplies Eclipse Restaurant and other locals, having started doing so this year. Last year, she supplied National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard). Currently, she has employed two people, and looks to employ more, as she expands her farming business.
After earning her degree in midwifery, she saved up her earnings and bought land. She took her father’s lessons to heart and worked tirelessly to build a successful commercial farming operation.
Lizzy’s journey in agriculture began when she was contracted by NAMBoard. She realised that her operation was too small to meet the growing demand, so she sought the help of local community leaders to secure additional land. They recognised her passion and commitment, and she was granted a 2ha plot.
With this new opportunity, Lizzy aspires to not only meet the needs of her current clients, but also create jobs and food security for her community. As she continues to expand her business, she hopes to inspire other young people to pursue their own agricultural ventures and share the skills she gained through the program run by WFF.
She learned valuable lessons from the program, which helped her to improve her business practices and better manage her resources. She gained a deeper understanding of the importance of climate-smart farming and financial literacy, and she now has a more structured approach to record-keeping, fertilisation, and marketing. With these insights, she feels better equipped to achieve her vision and goals for her business. It’s clear that this program had a profound impact on her business and her personal growth.
Lizzy has a clear vision for the future of her agribusiness. In the next two years, she plans to install fencing and irrigation systems on her 2ha plot, start farming on additional land, and get her business officially registered. She also hopes to build at least one or two shade net tunnels to help improve crop yield and quality. With these initiatives, she believes that she can grow her business and make a lasting impact on her community.
In addition to growing her business, Lizzy is also committed to practising conservation agriculture to improve soil quality. She hopes to implement shade nets in the next 12 months to further increase yield and quality. She emphasises the importance of separating personal life from business and having a clear business plan and goals.
She also stresses the value of networking with other farmers and mentors, as well as enjoying the work itself. With her passion and dedication, she believes that agriculture can play a crucial role in reducing poverty and ensuring food security. She supplies products such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and other commodities.
