By Lindelwa Dlamini
SIDVOKODVO – Emaswati, especially those who want to venture into agri-business, can now get loans of up to E1 million from Eswatini Bank.
This was said by Eswatini Bank’s representative Mazibuse Khumalo during the graduation of the 5th cohort of the Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF), which took place on Friday (July 26 2024) at Riders Ranch Sidvokodvo.
The event was graced by the Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka.
Khumalo informed the graduates about the opportunities that they could make use of, as they intended to put what they had learned into practice.
During the event, the graduates were informed of a possibility for them to become entrepreneurs in agriculture and they were informed of the Eswatini Bank opportunity. Minister Tshawuka also informed them that his Ministry was working on securing other sources of funding in the field of agriculture.
WFF Director Sonia Paiva, warmly welcomed the 28 graduates and esteemed guests, emphasising the significance of the occasion for the organisation. She highlighted their vision to empower women and youth in agriculture, expressing pride in seeing the realisation of their goal.
“Our aspiration to make agriculture appealing has come to fruition, evident in the youthful, innovative, and profit-driven individuals present,” Paiva said. She elaborated on the project initiated in 2021 to introduce climate-smart agriculture to the youth, showcasing the excitement and potential within the agricultural sector. This cohort marked the largest group to graduate, underscoring the program’s widespread impact on numerous youth participants.
After Paiva’s address, Khumalo announced their financial support for farmers, disclosing that Eswatini citizens could now access loans of up to E1 million. Khumalo stated that the bank also provided guidance on business planning and financial management to facilitate loan accessibility. This commitment signified the bank’s dedication to curbing unemployment by encouraging innovative entrepreneurship among the youth. As a gesture of appreciation, the bank awarded three students who with tokens amounting to R2 000, R1 500, and R1 000 respectively, solidifying a partnership with WFF.
Minister Tshawuka, when making his remarks, commended the graduates for their courage in pursuing agriculture as a path to self-employment. He praised the diverse composition of the class, spanning across the country, and acknowledged their unwavering dedication, thirst for knowledge, and aspiration for a better future.
Tshawuka recounted a student from Somntongo Constituency who demonstrated exceptional commitment by traveling over 150km daily to participate in the program, reflecting the resilience of the nation. Addressing the financial challenges faced by the youth, he assured ongoing Government efforts to secure funding from international partners and establish agricultural finance initiatives benefiting Emaswati.
“As a Minister, we are happy that today we are injecting another group of young professionals, who are not only conversant with the concept of Innovation Climate-Smart Tunnel Production but are also equipped with skills in agri-business. This class comprises students who have come across the length and breath of the country and have shown remarkable dedication, insatiable thirst for knowledge and incredible desire to improve their lives”, he said.
Furthermore, the minister extolled the advantages of Tunnel Production as a means to shield crops from adverse weather conditions brought about by climate change.
WFF former students Sibongile and Gcinile were invited to share their journey to their peers, Sibongile firstly emphasising the potential for job creation through agriculture. She recounted her journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the capacity to delegate tasks and maintain productivity even in her absence.
Gcinile also came to the podium and she recounted her venture into tunnel farming, acknowledging the initial challenges she faced. Seeking guidance from WFF officers, she overcame obstacles and now boasts impressive yields from her tunnel farming endeavours over the past two years.
The graduation ceremony was elegantly organised and graced by distinguished individuals. The Ministry of Agriculture, Eswatini Bank, Partners of the Innovative Youth Tunnel Production Project, WFF representatives, Ministry of Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Sydney Simelane and many more.
