By Lwazi Dlamini
In a major step towards enhancing sustainability and bolstering Eswatini’s agricultural exports, the EWADE has officially unveiled a state-of-the-art banana packhouse under the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project II (LUSIP II).
The facility, developed at a cost of over E9.1 million, is expected to significantly impact the country’s agricultural landscape, empowering local farmers and elevating Eswatini’s standing in both local and international markets.
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Constructed by ICON Construction at a total cost of E9.137 million, the project allocated E4.09 million to the construction of the facility, with the remaining E4.5 million spent on equipment installations carried out by Heathway Investments.
A Boost for Exports
According to the latest data from the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), Eswatini currently imports 693 metric tons of bananas annually, valued at over E1.8 million, while exporting 40,367 metric tons, generating approximately E173.4 million in revenue.
With the launch of the new banana packhouse, EWADE aims to reduce the reliance on imports, boost exports, and empower farmers in the Lower Usuthu Basin with new opportunities for income generation.
Nokwazi Hlophe, EWADE’s Corporate Communications Manager, highlighted the strategic significance of the packhouse, noting that it represents a significant shift from the organization’s approach under LUSIP I.
“This banana packhouse is a turning point for us. We are moving away from the previous sugarcane-centric model and embracing crop diversification under LUSIP II,” Hlophe said.
She further explained that LUSIP II introduces a diverse range of viable cash crops—including bananas, sugarcane, and various field crops—within each Farmer Company.
This model allows for more efficient land use and resource management. “By focusing on bananas, we’re not only empowering farmers but also improving the quality of their produce, reducing wastage, and increasing its value both locally and internationally,” Hlophe added.
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Advanced Infrastructure
Zwelethu Dlamini, Agriculture Development Manager at EWADE, outlined the packhouse’s state-of-the-art features, including its ability to process up to 27 tons of bananas. The facility includes two cold rooms, each measuring 7 meters by 3 meters by 2.4 meters, with a capacity to store up to 30 pallets.
“Each pallet holds 50 crates, with each crate containing 18 kilograms of bananas. This setup ensures that farmers can meet market demands while maintaining the quality of their produce,” Dlamini explained.
The facility also includes advanced sorting and packaging areas, equipped with four washing bins where bananas are cleaned before being sorted on rotating tables.
These bananas are then packed for distribution in crates or boxes.
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The packhouse’s water conservation system is a key sustainability feature, recycling and reusing water from the washing process, which significantly reduces overall water consumption.
This tables shows LUSIP II banana production statistics
