BY PHESHEYA KUNENE – EDITOR
SIDVOKODVO – Post harvest losses continue to drain profits from Eswatini’s agricultural sector, with nearly 40 percent of produce reportedly lost during harvesting, handling and storage.
On Wednesday, young climate smart agriculture students at the Woman Farmer Foundation in Sidvokodvo were trained on how to reduce those losses and improve market readiness.
The training session brought together officials from and , who equipped students with practical skills aimed at strengthening quality control, financial access and commercial farming standards.
NAMBoard’s Quality Assurance Department led sessions on harvesting and post harvest handling practices, produce grading, sorting and packaging standards, as well as the corporation’s rejection processes. Students were also taken through chemical residue management and traceability systems designed to improve accountability and food safety within the agricultural value chain.
The training comes at a time when Eswatini continues to battle high post harvest losses, particularly among smallholder farmers who often struggle with poor storage facilities, limited cold chain systems and weak handling practices. Agricultural experts have previously warned that reducing post harvest losses could significantly improve food security and farmer profitability without increasing production costs.
NAMBoard officials stressed the importance of meeting market standards, noting that produce quality remains one of the key requirements for local and export markets. The students were encouraged to adopt proper harvesting techniques, improve packaging methods and ensure compliance with traceability systems that allow produce to be tracked from farm to consumer.
Meanwhile, the facilitated discussions on access to finance opportunities for young people entering agribusiness. The institution outlined available funding pathways, loan application requirements and financial support mechanisms aimed at supporting youth driven agricultural enterprises.
The engagement formed part of the ongoing climate smart agriculture programme being implemented by the in Sidvokodvo. The initiative focuses on equipping young people and women with practical farming, agribusiness and sustainability skills to strengthen participation in the agricultural sector.
Eswatini’s agriculture sector remains one of the country’s major economic pillars, contributing significantly to employment and rural livelihoods. However, experts have repeatedly highlighted post harvest losses, limited financing and poor market access as some of the major barriers slowing the growth of emerging farmers.
