BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI – 200 dairy training graduates have been challenged to use the skills they have acquired to establish and grow businesses, with the agriculture sector calling on them to prepare their products for a competitive market.
The graduates completed training in different areas of the dairy value chain, including Dairy Cattle Management, artificial insemination, apiculture and Dairy Processing. The programme was aimed at equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in farming and dairy-related enterprises.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka said the opportunity should translate into improved lives and livelihoods, urging the graduates to apply what they had learnt beyond the training environment.
For graduates entering dairy farming, applying the knowledge acquired could involve improving cattle management practices, production systems and the overall operation of their enterprises.
Sthembiso Mndzebele, who trained in Dairy Cattle Management, said the programme provided participants with practical knowledge and skills while also creating an opportunity for them to connect and network with other farmers.
He also said the interaction with other participants was important as it allowed farmers to share experiences and build relationships that could support them beyond the training programme.
Eswatini National Agricultural Union Chief Executive Officer Tammy Dlamini said graduates should now move beyond acquiring skills and prepare themselves and their products to compete effectively in the market.
Dlamini said following the necessary processes was important before products could be introduced to consumers, particularly ensuring that they met the required standards. He also highlighted the need for graduates to understand market trends and consider how their products would be presented to consumers.
He said packaging and the manner in which products are displayed on retail shelves can influence how consumers respond to them, noting that “retail itself is a science.” The emphasis on presentation means that producing a dairy product is only one part of establishing a successful enterprise. Graduates also need to understand how their products will reach consumers and how they can differentiate themselves in the market.
Dlamini further encouraged graduates who want to take their businesses to the next level to remain engaged with their mentors and implementing partners. This engagement could help graduates identify areas where they require additional support as they move from training into commercial activities.
For the dairy sector, the transition from skills development to commercial production creates an opportunity for trained farmers and processors to apply their knowledge, develop products and participate more actively in the value chain.
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