BY OWETHU DLAMINI
MBABANE – Encouragement, networking and opportunities for emaSwati farmers were the order of the day.
The Woman Farmers Foundation hosted a business network lunch today with the Minister of Agriculture, Jabulani Mabuza, 2022 Woman Farmer of the Year Competition winners, the Business and Private sector. This was done in hopes to avail opportunities to the winners and engage them with potential sponsors in their agricultural fields.
During the luncheon and his speech, the minister spoke at length on the consistency and hard work of farmers in the country. This was to encourage them to keep at their craft and work towards their own growth as well as that of the country.
“While the Kingdom is in the quest for food security, the ministry is committed towards narrowing the level of imported horticulture produce from across the borders of Eswatini amounting to E1.6 billion, including processed foods. This will be done through the vision of supporting local suppliers by buying from them, which is why the responsibility is on you farmers, to be the country’s main suppliers of produce. For you to succeed in that, you need to be self-reliant, consistent in market supply, self-sustainable and remain committed to your work in the field,” said Mabuza.
The minister went on to express the sole reason of the lunch that was held, stating that it gave the farmers an opportunity to make themselves known. This allowed potential work with people who would be able to assist them financially and through giving them the necessary knowledge they needed to grow.
“This lunch is referred to as the ‘Sponsor’s Networking Lunch’, solely because it offers you the prospects of striking one or two great business deals. This will stamp you as an official leading commercial farmer and requires you to make the first impressive step from here. Do not hesitate to contact the Woman Farmer Foundation for advice and business training as they are the leaders in agribusiness. You will need all the business advice and mentoring to take you to the next level and to deal with the business people you have met here today,” he said.
Mabuza finally expressed gratitude to the Woman Farmer Foundation, led by Sonia Pavia, supported by her husband Carlos Paiva.
“Sonia has been self-less by sharing her experience in the business profession with fellow emaSwati because we are aware that the over 3000 women and youth farmers that would have not been exposed to the public, have been unearthed by the foundation over the years through the annual competition.
“They could not have enjoyed the continuous financial freedom that they enjoy now and they could not have easily been exposed to such excellent potential markets to which they have been introduced to today. Thank you Sonia for the hard work and sacrifices that you make for the improvement of women and female youth in the Kingdom of Eswatini, your efforts are recognized and the Ministry is proud to have signed a working agreement with you,” said Mabuza.
According to the Woman Farmers Foundation website, the main focus of the foundation is empowerment of the girl child and woman living in the rural areas of Eswatini. Their focus on youth is not necessarily particular to females but is rather inclusive of both male and female youth. They intend to empower, educate, and develop their foundation members and competition beneficiaries through agriculture and agribusiness.
