Woman Farmer of the Year crowned
By Delisa Magagula
The spirit of resilience, innovation, and excellence in Eswatini’s agriculture sector shone brightly at Riders Range on Thursday.
The Woman Farmer Foundation hosted the 18th annual Woman Farmer of the Year Awards. The event brought together hundreds of farmers, government officials, development partners, and well-wishers to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women and youth in agribusiness.
The Woman Farmer Foundation is a Non-Governmental Organization. It is a private, non-profit making organization. The Woman Farmer Foundation mandate is to improve women and youth’s incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.
Seeing the importance of youth participation, the foundation has increased its focus on youth empowerment through agribusiness, with targeted beneficiaries in the rural areas. In 2017, the Female Youth Farmer of The Year category was added to the competition.
Meanwhile, this year’s top honour went to Eli Olivia Dlamini, who was named the 2025 Woman Farmer of the Year, while Boniswa Malaza walked away with the Youth Farmer of the Year title.
Dlamini walked away with an E163 840 cheque and other gifts. Malaza walked away with E57 405 richer. In total over E500 000 was spent on prizes.
Both women expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, describing their wins as a reflection of years of hard work, passion, and perseverance in an industry often dominated by men.
The 18th edition of the competition marked yet another milestone for the Woman Farmer Foundation, which has been instrumental in empowering women and youth to take up farming as a business and a means of sustainable livelihood.
The competition has over the years grown in scale and impact, attracting participants from every corner of the country.
Sonia Paiva the Director and Founder said the initiative continues to be a key driver in promoting food security and advancing the economic empowerment of women and young people in Eswatini.
“We have seen remarkable progress since we started this journey 18 years ago. The women and youth who participate in this competition are transforming their communities through innovation, creativity, and determination,” she said.
This year, a total of 247 farmers participated in the competition, representing the country’s four ecological regions Highveld, Middleveld, Lowveld, and Lubombo Plateau.
The Manzini Region recorded the highest number of participants, reaffirming its position as one of Eswatini’s most vibrant agricultural hubs.
The competition was divided into two categories Youth and Adult ensuring that both emerging and established farmers are recognised.
From the large pool of entrants, the top 15 from each category advanced to a second and more rigorous judging phase. After detailed evaluations and site visits, the top 10 finalists in each category were selected for the final round.
Meanwhile the judging panel comprised experts from key agricultural institutions, including NAMBoard, the National Maize Corporation, World Vision, the Dairy Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Woman Farmer Foundation itself.
Representing the Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka, the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima commended the partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Woman Farmer Foundation.
He said the competition continues to play a critical role in promoting agricultural excellence and supporting national development goals.
Nzima congratulated all participants, particularly the winners, for their commitment to advancing the country’s agricultural sector.
“The dedication of our farmers, especially women and youth, is a source of inspiration. They are not only contributing to national food security but also creating employment and business opportunities in their communities,” he said.
He noted that the Foundation’s continued collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture demonstrates a shared commitment to recognising and supporting farmers who are making a difference in their respective fields.
He added that the introduction of new categories this year speaks to the growth and evolution of the competition, reflecting the changing face of agriculture in Eswatini.
“This initiative has become a national platform for celebrating excellence and innovation. It has helped us identify and support farmers who are embracing modern farming techniques, climate-smart practices, and agribusiness entrepreneurship,” Nzima said.
Former Deputy Prime Minister and current Shiselweni Regional Administrator Themba Masuku also graced the event.
He encouraged more women and youth to take advantage of such opportunities, saying agriculture remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming rural livelihoods.
“Agriculture is not just about producing food; it is about building resilience and creating wealth for our families and our nation. The Woman Farmer Foundation has shown that with the right support, women and youth can thrive in this sector,” Masuku said.
The competition’s success stories continue to inspire more people to join the agricultural movement. Over the years, past winners have expanded their operations, diversified into new ventures, and created employment opportunities for others.
Some have also become mentors, training young farmers and sharing best practices.
This year’s winners, Dlamini and Malaza, were visibly emotional as they received their awards. Both expressed gratitude to the Foundation, their families, and their communities for the encouragement and support they have received throughout their journeys.
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition. Farming has not been an easy journey, but with determination and faith, I have learned that success is possible.
This award motivates me to keep going and to help other women believe that they too can succeed in agriculture,” she said.
Malaza, the Youth Farmer of the Year, echoed similar sentiments, saying the recognition would inspire her to expand her farming business and empower more young people to take up farming.
“Agriculture is the future, and we as young people must take the lead. This award shows that hard work pays off,” she said.
Music, cultural performances, and an atmosphere of celebration, the 18th annual Woman Farmer of the Year Awards ended on a high note.
