By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Women Farmer Foundation (WFF) in partnership with the International Trade Center (ITC) has embarked on a transformative initiative where through a collaborative effort under the
“Eswatini Promoting Growth Through Competitive Alliance 1” project, they funded the distribution of agricultural inputs and beehives to Ntfonjeni farmers.
Ntfonjeni is situated in the Hhohho region. Through a statement shared by the WTF, Ntfonjeni became the focal point of the initiative which was for supporting locals in job creation and sustainable farming practices.
Implementation officers from the WFF, Nkhosinathi Dlamini, and Sanele Mtsetfwa, spearheaded the distribution of agricultural inputs to four farmer groups and provided beehives to two youth beekeepers’ cooperatives.
The distribution encompassed a range of agricultural essentials, including fertilizers, seedlings, and knapsack sprays, for enhancing horticultural enterprises.
Additionally, two groups of beekeepers received a total of 30 langstroth and six trap boxes of beehives, amplifying the community’s beekeeping capacity.
Prior to this intervention, 109 beneficiaries had undergone comprehensive training in sustainable agriculture, laying the foundation for enhanced farming production.
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A farmer identified as Fakudze who was representing the Sisismo cooperative, expressed gratitude for the inputs, acknowledging their instrumental role in advancing farming practices.
“We are delighted upon receiving this farming inputs because the project has enabled us to cultivate new crops that were previously inaccessible to us,” remarked Mr. Fakudze, reflecting the sentiments of many beneficiaries.
According to WTF, the distribution of beehive boxes to the youth beekeepers is another significant stride in the project’s agenda. Following 12 months of intensive beekeeping training, local youths eagerly embraced the opportunity to manage beehives, viewing it as a promising avenue for economic empowerment.
Prior to the distribution, WFF project Officer Sanele Mtsetfwa highlighted on the intricacies of beekeeping techniques, where he emphasized hive placement, parasite management, and optimal container utilization.
WTF also expressed that the initiative’s overarching goal of enhancing farming practices and empowering local communities is in line with broader objectives of poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement.
The Foundation states that by equipping farmers with essential inputs and supporting community engagement in sustainable agriculture, the project will help to stimulate economic activity and create avenues for income generation.
The Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2007 with a goal is to improve rural women and youth’s incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods through sustainable agriculture.
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The Woman Farmer Foundation is registered NGO under the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organizations in Eswatini and operates under the Food and Security Consortium and the Gender Consortium and also affiliates with the Coalition of Informal Economy Associations of Eswatini.
The Foundation was established to promote and advance the interests of Eswatini women in the agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial farmer level.
When the foundation was established, its main focus was strictly on women empowerment especially those based in the rural communities but as of 2017 it started developing projects that are also inclusive of the youth both male and female.
Since the inception of the foundation, more than 5000 women, youth and community members have benefitted direct and indirect from the organization’s various interventions.
