By: Sikhona Sibandze
Matsapha – Eswatini’s small-scale producers, cooperatives, and agripreneurs were in the spotlight today as the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Eswatini Chapter, in partnership with OK Foods, hosted its first-ever Christmas Fair at Kwaluseni, Matsapha. The event showcased locally made, market-ready products, from agro-processed foods to artisanal crafts, highlighting a growing shift from farm production to formal retail participation.
Moving Local Products from Farm to Shelf
Speaking at the fair, OWIT Eswatini President Duduzile Nhlengetfwa emphasized the organization’s focus on creating sustainable market pathways for farmers and cooperatives.
"Through strategic partnerships like the one with OK Foods, locally made products are no longer stopping at the farm gate; they are moving into formal retail spaces,” Nhlengetfwa said. “This is part of our long-term vision of value addition, inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods for producers.”
The fair brought together a diverse array of participants, including women-led, youth, and disability-inclusive enterprises, reflecting OWIT’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment across the agribusiness sector.
Strengthening Producer Skills and Market Access
Sibongile Dlamini, a representative from the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), praised the initiative and pledged ongoing support.
"We are encouraged by the initiative and will actively support OWIT, farmers, and local producers through targeted training on proper packaging, product presentation, and effective market penetration,” Dlamini said. “Strengthening these skills is critical to helping local products meet retail standards, compete confidently, and secure sustainable access to formal markets.”
The trainings aim to equip producers with the tools to align with retail requirements, ensure product consistency, and scale operations for wider market reach.
Agripreneurs Share Success Stories
Among the participants was Dr. Hlongwane, Founder and CEO of Droxford Foods, who shared insights from his journey in peanut butter processing.
"We started small, processing peanut butter, and faced challenges in scaling and meeting market expectations. Today, our products are on the shelves, and we are testing a peanut oil product set to launch soon,” he said.
His story reflected the broader fair theme: turning passion and production into commercially viable enterprises.
Cooperatives Lead the Way
The fair also highlighted the role of multipurpose cooperatives in transforming local production into market-ready goods. Many cooperatives present had already moved into processing, packaging, branding, and value addition, producing goods tailored for retail environments.
"Organizing collectively and investing in quality and consistency allows local producers to compete effectively,” Nhlengetfwa noted.
Through cooperative models, small-scale farmers can aggregate products, reduce costs, and ensure quality, strengthening both supply chains and retail viability.
Looking Ahead
Organizers stressed that the Christmas Fair is more than a seasonal showcase; it is a launchpad for long-term agribusiness growth. Future plans include scaling local enterprises, deepening market integration, and further developing Eswatini’s domestic supply chains, including digital monitoring systems to track production and sales.
"Our vision is for local products to move seamlessly from farms to shelves while supporting sustainable livelihoods for women, youth, and inclusive enterprises,” Nhlengetfwa said.
For Eswatini’s agribusiness sector, the message is clear: production alone is no longer sufficient. Success requires value addition, strategic partnerships, skill development, and market readiness, all of which were on full display at today’s inaugural Christmas Fair.
