BY NONCEDO SHABANGU
MBABANE- Phumlani Dlamini, better known as Terror, is not your typical farmer. An unemployed graduate teacher with a sharp mind for innovation, he is building a name for himself in Eswatini’s agricultural sector. Through his business, Forever Green Farm Services, Phumlani is making modern farming smarter, more profitable, and more attractive especially for young people.
“I started farming before I even went to university, in fact, it’s farming that got me through tertiary,” Phumlani shares. “The plan was to become an agriculture teacher while expanding my agribusiness on the side using the loans available to civil servants. But as luck would have it, that plan never saw the light of day. I ended up with a qualification I now use as a pillow.”
Despite earning his qualification as a teacher, Phumlani never got the chance to enter the classroom. But that disappointment opened a new path. Rather than sit idle, he channelled his energy into building something of his own. Forever Green was born not just as a farm, but as a full scale agribusiness offering smart solutions to modern farming challenges.
His journey into agriculture began with no shortcuts. Like many, he started with watering cans and manual labour. But as someone who once found traditional farming boring and draining, he was determined to change the narrative. He wanted farming to be cool, profitable, and appealing especially for young people who see agriculture as outdated.
Phumlani poured his time and limited resources into learning. He invested in tools, studied business management, and expanded Forever Green’s services. Today, the business offers hybrid borehole pumps, incubators, irrigation systems, water tank installations, and soon, an input store and underground water surveying.
Smart climate farming is at the centre of his work. This approach helps farmers produce more while spending less. He uses drip irrigation, tunnel farming, shade nets, solar systems, and mulching to help clients overcome the effects of climate change and boost productivity.
One of his standout innovations is the hybrid borehole pump, which cuts electricity bills by switching between solar energy during the day and power at night. It delivers a high water yield and fits perfectly with the needs of modern, cost conscious farmers.
Forever Green also provides custom designed drip irrigation systems and free consultations. Phumlani and his team follow up regularly, ensuring clients get the best out of their investments. Although limited resources have slowed down his outreach to rural areas, his social media platforms continue to showcase success stories and educate the public.
Running a business hasn’t been without setbacks. Hailstorms once destroyed crops and infrastructure on his 1 hectare farm. But instead of giving up, he adapted. He invested in net shades and tunnels and now grows disease resistant hybrid varieties of tomatoes, green peppers, cabbages, and butternut.
Phumlani may not have made it into the classroom, but he’s still a teacher in his own right passing on knowledge, empowering others, and demonstrating what it takes to grow an idea from the ground up. He finds fulfilment in running his own business, enjoying the freedom, creativity, and challenge that comes with being an entrepreneur.
His message to other unemployed graduates is clear “Start. Don’t wait. No one is coming to help you until you help yourself. Use what you have, take the first step, and grow your skill. That’s what will carry you forward.” With big dreams, a strong work ethic, and a vision to transform farming across Eswatini, Phumlani Dlamini is proving that you don’t need a job to make an impactyou need a vision, and the courage to follow it.
To learn more about Forever Green Farm Services or to reach out for services, contact Phumlani Dlamini at 7607 5583 or 7972 7123.
(Courtesy Pics)
