Women farmers across Eswatini have just 2 days left to enter the Woman Farmer of the Year Competition (WOFACO), with applications closing this Friday, September 11, 2026.
Since its historic launch in 2007, the Woman Farmer of the Year Competition has dedicated itself entirely to breaking down barriers for women in agriculture. Organised by the Woman Farmer Foundation (WFF) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, this nationwide platform is explicitly built to encourage, uplift and put a well-deserved spotlight on the hardworking women tilling Swazi Nation Land.
For the foundation, this competition serves as a powerful hand extended to every woman-led agribusiness. The competition does not discriminate; it serves to uplift women managing different enterprises, whether a farmer manages a small, passionate vegetable patch supplying a localised community, tends to indigenous poultry or runs a scaling commercial dairy enterprise like past adult winner Eli Olivia Dlamini. This platform belongs to them.
The competition is designed to celebrate everyday resilience while providing women farmers with vital resources, inputs and recognition to take their projects to the next level. With applications closing this Friday, women who have yet to enter are encouraged to take advantage of the remaining opportunity to showcase their agricultural enterprises.
Recognising that the country’s agricultural future relies entirely on building a sustainable succession plan, the foundation deliberately introduced a dedicated Youth Farmer Category in 2017.
This initiative specifically targets young women aged 18 to 35, proving to the younger generation that agriculture is a highly dignified, profitable and empowering career path.
JUDGING
A panel of industry experts and agricultural stakeholders oversees the judging process.
This includes a panel of agricultural experts visiting each farmer’s residence and place of business. The procedure is intended to assist the participants’ business operations rather than serve as a rigorous assessment. The primary goal is to give farmers practical mentoring and professional guidance at their place of business.
Judges provide farmers with customised input and useful insights during these visits, assisting them in improving their everyday operations, adopting more effective methods and eventually improving their farming practices.
From September 14-29, 2026, there will be an evaluation and advisory phase, giving participating farmers an opportunity to benefit from expert guidance while their enterprises are assessed. You can find and drop off application forms at Khuba Traders in Manzini or contact 7602 7207.
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