BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
BUHLENI – Eswatini Agricultural Supplies has opened a new branch in Buhleni to bring agricultural inputs, technical support and personalized services closer to farmers in the north-western parts of Eswatini, while creating opportunities for local employment.
The new branch, which is the company’s third branch, follows its establishment in Manzini, where its main operations have been based on Tenbergen Street since 1975, and the subsequent opening of another branch in Matata, Big Bend.
Speaking during the opening, Sales Director Ian McLeod said the decision to establish a presence in Buhleni was driven by the need to improve farmers’ access to agricultural products and technical services without requiring them to travel to Manzini.
McLeod said the company had previously served farmers in the Buhleni area from its Manzini branch, making it necessary for customers to travel long distances to purchase the products they needed.
“We’ve decided to open here in Buhleni because we feel we can provide a personal service and the products to the vegetable farmers and all the livestock farmers, and any other farmers that are based up in the north-west of Swaziland,” he said.
He added that the company was excited about the area’s growth potential and hoped the new branch would strengthen its relationship with local farmers.
The Buhleni branch offers a range of agricultural supplies, including animal feed, crop protection products, fertilizers, seeds and spraying equipment. It will also provide technical assistance in veterinary services and crop farming, as well as repair services for knapsack sprayers.
McLeod said the establishment of the branch was also an opportunity to contribute to local employment, with the business having initially employed three emaSwati from the Buhleni area.
He explained that the company intended to recruit additional employees as the business expanded, with the ultimate goal of strengthening its capacity to serve farmers in the region.
“We’ve started with a team of three Swazis who come from the Buhleni area, and as the business grows, we’ll be employing more people,” he said.
The opening also comes with a focus on improving farmers’ knowledge of crop production through technical support and demonstrations.
McLeod revealed that the company had welcomed the Sakata technical team from Johannesburg, South Africa, which was assisting with agricultural demonstrations and providing technical support during the week.
He said a crop trial was underway near Ngonini to demonstrate selected vegetable varieties to farmers, including butternut, patty pan and baby marrow, alongside other varieties.
According to McLeod, the trials had been successful, and the presence of the Sakata team would help strengthen the technical support available to the company and local farmers.
The new branch is expected to make it more convenient for farmers to access agricultural inputs and obtain guidance on crop production and livestock farming closer to their homes.
McLeod said the company was looking forward to growing its business in Buhleni and called on farmers in the surrounding communities to support the new establishment.
He emphasised that the company’s long-term ambition was to expand its workforce and improve the services offered to farmers.
Eswatini Agricultural Supplies, which has operated in Manzini for 51 years, is positioning the Buhleni branch as an additional service point for farmers seeking agricultural products, technical assistance and support for their farming activities.
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(Courtesy Pic)
