BY NOMTHANDAZO MAYISELA (INTERN)
BHUNYA – Farmers in KaLamgabhi under Bhunya have welcomed a government outreach programme that brought agricultural services directly to their community, allowing them to engage face-to-face with experts on challenges affecting their production and livelihoods.
According to information sourced from the Agribusiness Media Eswatini Facebook page, the “Taking the Ministry to the People” initiative was rolled out in KaLamgabhi as part of efforts to close the gap between farmers and agricultural support services. The engagement brought together farmers, extension officers and representatives from key agricultural institutions to discuss livestock management, crop production, input supply systems and market access opportunities.
The turnout was described as strong, with farmers actively participating in discussions and raising pressing concerns affecting their daily farming activities. Key issues included rising input costs, livestock diseases, unpredictable rainfall patterns and limited access to reliable markets. Farmers also highlighted challenges linked to transport and access to agricultural information.
In response, extension officers provided on-the-spot technical guidance, offering practical advice on improving livestock health, soil management and crop productivity. The session also allowed farmers to share experiences and solutions, creating a peer learning environment that many participants described as valuable and informative.
The initiative reflects a broader shift toward farmer-centred service delivery, where agricultural support is taken directly to communities rather than farmers travelling long distances to access it. Officials emphasized that this approach is aimed at improving productivity, strengthening food security and building resilience within the agricultural sector.
Farmers in attendance said the outreach programme was timely, especially at a time when rural producers are under increasing pressure from climate variability and rising production costs. For many, the direct interaction with experts provided immediate answers to challenges they face in their fields and homesteads.
Agricultural stakeholders noted that continuous engagement between farmers and extension services is key to transforming the sector, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of food production in Eswatini.
As similar outreach programmes continue to roll out in other communities, the focus remains on improving access to agricultural knowledge, strengthening support systems and ensuring that farmers are equipped to increase productivity.
For KaLamgabhi farmers, the initiative marked a meaningful step toward more accessible and responsive agricultural services.
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