…7 big market players represented
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MANZINI – The Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF) continues to help farmers fairly profit from their produce.
NMC Rep_ Sibusiso Sibandze.
This past weekend, the WFF connected agripreneurs to the market by hosting a market linkage and networking lunch. Ths lunch, which happened at the Manzini National Library on Friday, was designed to help farmers connect with the biggest buyers of agriculture products in the country. Represented among these in the networking lunch were the National Agriculture Marketing Board (NAMBOARD), the National Maize Corporation (NMC), Premier, Esibayeni Lodge, and the Taiwan Vegetable Initiative (TAVI). The market linkage and networking lunch benefitted 54 women and youth, and it was organised with the support of the New Zealand High Commission.
One of the women farmers displaying her wares.
According to the Woman Farmer Foundation’s Communication Officer Mpumalanga Zwane, the market linkage event follows a series of regional training workshops run by the foundation beginning in March 2023. The training recognized the essential roles youth and women play in the agricultural sector. She said that, therefore, it strengthened the participation and involvement of the farmers in decision-making that directly affects them in the farming sector, as well as built their knowledge, confidence, and skills.
Zwane added that smallholder farmers were exposed to essential knowledge to help them understand market needs by learning food safety, global good agricultural practices (Global GAP) and agribusiness management skills, among other topics, which was aimed at increasing their access to markets and improving income generation.
TAVI Rep_ Tandzisiwe Mabuza.
Having been introduced to these topics, the budding agripreneurs were then brought together with various markets to network and find new potential clients. In return, the markets were introduced to a cadre of trained farmers to add to their database to increase the quality of produce brought to them, added Zwane.
“The program was a great success. It was fruitful for both the markets and the farmers present,” stated the Communications Officer.
Namboard Rep Sanele Mvubu engaging farmers to forge a deeper working relationship.
“We are thankful to all the markets that made this event possible by honouring our invite. We also thank our farmers who continue to show great dedication and enthusiasm towards our programs,” she added.
The markets in attendance took turns sharing what was required of farmers to supply their various institutions and answering arising questions. Farmers got first-hand information on the various programs the markets were running to support farmers. Of note, the Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative shared on their program to promote growing indigenous crops and how farmers can get involved. Some took the opportunity to also engage farmers on how they can best work together while also sharing a bit of motivation.
Simunye Country Club Rep_ Sibusisiwe Gama.
“Teach a man to farm and his family will be fed; teach a woman and you feed a whole community,” said Miphie Bushu, Managing Director of Breathe Green Eswatini, one of the market players who were represented. She applauded the work women farmers put into feeding the world.
The event closed off with a networking session to allow the farmers and markets time to network one-on-one.
Premier Rep_ Sthembile Khumalo.
