BY: SIKHONA SIBANDZE | JOURNALIST
LAVUMISA — Mpakeni farmer Mfanukhona Macalindaba Mngomezulu says one of the most important lessons he has learned in farming is that success comes from producing for market demand and paying close attention to guidance from extension officers.
Mngomezulu shared this advice after emerging as the first prize winner during the NAMBoard Farmer Roadshow held at Lavumisa Packhouse in the Shiselweni Region, where he received an E5,000 input voucher in recognition of his performance as a horticulture producer supplying the market through NAMBoard. Second and third prize winners also received E3,000 and E2,000 input vouchers respectively.
For Mngomezulu, the recognition is more than just an award. It is a reflection of years of learning, discipline and adjusting production to meet market requirements. He said farmers who want to grow and remain competitive must treat farming as a business by understanding what the market needs and following technical advice on how to produce the right crops at the right time.
According to Mngomezulu, many farmers have the potential to improve their results if they take orders seriously and apply the production guidance they receive from extension officers. “For a farmer to do well, they must produce what the market wants and listen carefully when extension officers advise them,” he said.
Mngomezulu currently produces crops for NAMBoard, including butternut, peppers and tomatoes. He grows vegetables on 3.5 hectares, with 1.5 hectares planted with butternut and peppers under a drip irrigation system. On another farm where he grows tomatoes, he uses furrow irrigation, drawing water from the Ngwavuma River.
His success this year reflects the value of consistency and discipline in commercial farming. Mngomezulu said winning the award was especially meaningful because it marked his return to the top after falling short of first place last year. He previously won first prize in 2016 and received second prize in 2025, something that motivated him to work even harder this season.
“I once got first prize in 2016, and last year I got second prize. That pushed me to work hard so that I could be number one this year,” he said.
Beyond the prize itself, Mngomezulu said the recognition shows that local farmers can build strong and sustainable businesses when they are willing to learn, adapt and respond to market needs. He encouraged more farmers, especially young people, to take agriculture seriously and make use of the support systems available through NAMBoard.
He said agriculture remains one of the strongest tools for fighting hunger, improving household incomes and strengthening food security in the country. Looking ahead, Mngomezulu said his future plan is to secure a plantation where he can expand his vegetable farming operations and increase production.
The roadshow also reflected NAMBoard’s broader effort to move farmers from subsistence farming towards a more commercial and market-oriented approach.
Speaking at the event, Sydney Dladla, who represented the NAMBoard Chief Executive Officer and serves as Head of Agribusiness at NAMBoard, said the awards are intended to motivate farmers and stimulate higher levels of local production.
“These awards are intended to motivate and incentivise increased production among local farmers, which directly supports one of NAMBoard’s strategic objectives of increasing local production,” said Dladla.
He said the initiative supports Eswatini’s wider import substitution agenda by encouraging farmers to increase local supply and reduce dependence on imported produce. According to Dladla, recognising top-performing farmers also sends an important message to other producers about the value of consistency, quality and volume in supplying the market.
For Mngomezulu, the award is not only a reward for hard work, but also a reminder that successful farming starts with understanding demand and being willing to learn. His message to fellow farmers is simple: grow what the market wants, listen to expert advice, and treat farming as a serious business.
