A young farmer from the Lowveld is steadily carving out his place in Eswatini’s agricultural sector, building on a family tradition of vegetable production and guidance from experienced mentors.
Having grown up in a family involved in vegetable farming for over a decade, the farmer says his interest was shaped early. After completing his schooling at SANU in 2020, he joined his father on the farm to gain hands-on experience. He also credits inspiration and guidance from his uncle, Macalindzaba Mngomezulu, a respected farmer and younger brother, to his father.
“I was really inspired by my uncle, who has been encouraging and guiding me on how to do farming properly,” he said.
Since officially starting his own farming journey last year, he has already recorded notable progress.
Mngomezulu produced 322 bags of butternut and currently has about 4 000 green pepper seedlings, which are expected to be harvested next month.
At present, he cultivates approximately one hectare of land, but hopes to expand soon to increase production and meet growing demand.
Despite the favourable conditions in the Lowveld, he notes that seasonal challenges still affect production. Winter farming, although manageable due to relatively mild temperatures, still requires careful monitoring. Water supply during dry spells is another concern, leading him to rely on the Ngwavuma River for irrigation using a water pump.
Among the major challenges he faces are rising temperatures, which sometimes damage crops, and occasional storms that disrupt the growing cycle.
High fuel costs for irrigation also place financial pressure on production. He further highlighted the lack of proper fencing as a serious issue, as livestock sometimes enter the fields and destroy crops.
“Sometimes using the water pump becomes very costly because I must keep buying petrol. If I could use drip irrigation, it would reduce costs significantly,” he explained.
To stay informed on modern farming methods, Mngomezulu regularly engages with an umlimisi from NAMBoard, who visits farmers to provide technical advice and updates on agricultural practices. He also receives continued support from Mr Mavuso, an extension officer who assists him with improving production methods and crop management.
With growing experience and strong mentorship, the young farmer remains optimistic about expanding his operations and improving productivity in the years ahead.
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