BY PHESHEYA KUNENE – EDITOR
SIDVOKODVO – The 18th edition of the Woman Farmer of the Year Competition has underlined Eswatini’s commitment to climate-smart, inclusive, and innovation-driven agriculture as women and youth farmers were honoured for their outstanding contribution to food security and national development.
Organised by the Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF), the event attracted 247 participants from across the four regions, including 181 adult women and 66 youth.
The competition continues to position agriculture as a modern, profitable, and transformative sector for Eswatini’s economy.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka praised the growing impact of women in agriculture, noting that their leadership was central to achieving food self-sufficiency and climate resilience.
He urged farmers to focus on climate-smart practices and increase the local production of key crops such as maize, beans, carrots, and tomatoes to reduce the country’s dependency on imports.
“Eswatini’s gender-inclusive agricultural strategies reflect our dedication to climate action,” he said.
“Through diversification into sugarcane, fisheries, and apiculture, and by adopting conservation farming and agrotechnology, we are responding to environmental challenges while ensuring sustainability.”
The Minister further emphasized that government was addressing long-standing challenges faced by women farmers, including access to land, finance, irrigation, and markets, through policy reforms and targeted investment in infrastructure.
In the adult category, Eli Olivia Dlamini of Mpolonjeni, KaShoba (Lubombo) emerged as the 2025 Woman Farmer of the Year, receiving prizes worth E163 840 for her excellence in livestock, dairy, poultry, and vegetable farming. She was followed by Jabu Tsabedze of Mahlangatsha in second place and Nelisiwe Mngometulu of Ngculwini in third.
The youth category was won by Boniswa Dlamini-Malaza (29) of Phophonyane, Hhohho, who impressed judges with her baby vegetable production enterprise. She walked away with prizes worth E57 405, including a smartphone, laptop, and E7 000 cash. Runners-up Nontsetselelo Mamba of Siphofaneni, Mphumakudze, and Phumzile Thwala of Siphocosini were also recognised for their innovation and dedication.
WFF Founder Sonia Paiva commended the youth for using digital platforms to market and sell their produce, describing them as pioneers of the next generation of agripreneurs. Her co-founder, Carlos Paiva, encouraged farmers to adopt crop rotation and collaboration to meet local demand and help the country reach its E2.5 billion agricultural output target.
The Minister concluded by aligning the competition with His Majesty King Mswati III’s “NKWE” vision, which promotes speed, integrity, and innovation in national development. He said the transformation of Eswatini’s agricultural landscape depends on women and youth farmers who are turning agriculture into a driver of economic growth and climate resilience.
From the vibrant fields of Sidvokodvo to the global climate stage, Eswatini’s women and youth farmers continue to prove that agriculture is not only about growing crops, it is about growing the nation.
