By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Woman Farmer Foundation has announced that the judging phase for its nationwide competition has officially begun.
As of September 16, judges have started visiting farmers’ homesteads to evaluate their efforts, with the process set to continue until September 30.
The foundation then urged all participating farmers to be present at their homesteads during this period to ensure a smooth and efficient judging process.
It added that farmers are also reminded to keep their phones nearby to remain reachable for any coordination or updates from the judges.
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In a statement shared, the Foundation explained that the competition’s evaluation is based primarily on the enterprise category, which accounts for 80% of the total score.
Home management will contribute 15%, while community engagement and leadership make up the final 5%.
The Foundation asserted that judging would proceed regionally, starting in Hhohho, followed by Manzini, Shiselweni, and concluding in the Lubombo region.
In the statement, the foundation wished all participants the best of luck, praising their hard work and dedication.
“Best of luck to all participating farmers, your hard work and dedication are truly recommendable. Let’s celebrate the resilience and spirit of our farming community,’ reads the statement.
Moreover, the Woman Farmer of the Year Competition is hosted annually by the Woman Farmer Foundation.
It has been successfully hosted since 2007 and is open to Women and female youth on Swazi Nation Land active in agribusiness.
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The foundation works collaboratively with the Ministry of Agriculture (extension department) in facilitating the availability of entry forms in all communities nationwide through the Rural Development Areas outlets of the four regions.
The Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit organization led by businesswoman Sonia Paiva and was founded in 2007 with a goal is to improve rural women and youth’s incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods through sustainable agriculture.
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 affiliates with the Coalition of Informal Economy Associations of Eswatini.
