BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The National Marketing and Agricultural Board (NAMBoard) has paid homage to and recognized farmers in the kingdom.
This has been done through a series of visits to their farms and fields in the last five days.
NAMBoard Communications Officer Melusi Dlamini said farmers are taking on the responsibility of providing citizens with essential crops and food to survive, and that they truly deserve any recognition they can get.
Dlamini said they play a significant role in everyone’s lives and their efforts often go unnoticed. As a way to shine a light, NAMBoard has been paying visits to them and giving them the recognition they deserve.
“The arduous life of farmers needs to be celebrated and honoured. They are the food providers of our nation. If not for them, our tables will not be filled with our daily staples. It is not a question as to why we chose them, they have been the industrious workers of our country and it is time for us to acknowledge, praise, and elevate the immense contribution they give to society,” he said.
Worth noting is that NAMBoard’s goal is to achieve optimum import regulation, significant import substitution and maximum export sales, the mission of NAMBoard is to maximise its organisational performance effectiveness and, in collaboration with farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural community, build an efficient commercialised Eswatini market.
Dlamini said the farmers work long hours and face numerous challenges. Of course, these include unpredictable weather conditions and a great deal of time and money being invested to ensure that citizens of their society have access to healthy and nutritious food.
“This is why it remains essential that people recognize their efforts and give them the support they need to continue their vital work. Thus, ensuring that people have a steady supply of food for years to come,” he said.
Some of the most hard-working visionaries in agribusiness were Fezile Hlophe (M), a proud young orchardist with over 300 banana trees and 420 avocado trees at her home. She was said to be an inspiration to both the young and old in her community.
Another was Mandlenkhosi Dlamini (R). Dlamini uses regenerative agricultural practices to produce butternut, baby marrow, brinjal, and green peas on a large scale and for commercial purposes only.
The Minister of Agriculture Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza once said the role of youth in agriculture is more than just to grow more food but to transform local food systems and build economies that lift entire communities out of poverty.
