Many people still doubt that farming can be a profitable venture, but farmers like Ernest Mahlalela are challenging that perception.
With passion, determination and a business mindset, Mahlalela has proven that agriculture isn’t just about feeding communities; it’s a serious and sustainable source of income. His journey is a powerful reminder that when you put your heart and mind into farming, it can grow into a thriving business.
Our feature Farmer of the Week, Mahlalela from Lomahasha, has seen the evolution of agriculture first-hand. “Farming used to be about survival and supporting the family growing up, but today, it is about making profit while supporting the local community,” he explained.
With the rise of technology and innovative farming practices, Mahlalela has transformed his farm into a model of efficiency and profitability. From birth, his parents practiced farming in the early 90s, mainly horticultural crops which were sold at the local market of KaMfundza on Wednesdays and Saturdays. From the small portions given by their father, they planted crops which when they sold, all the proceeds they got, they got to keep as a reward. This motivated him towards practicing agriculture.
Mahlalela holds a BSc in Agricultural Extension, which he completed this year, at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Faculty of Agriculture at the Luyengo Campus. He started his own farm on rented land at Luyengo back in 2020 during his arrival at UNESWA with a small piece of land, but grew from 0.2 hectare to a whole hectare of land currently, all under rental.Mahlalela, in his farming journey, also faces several challenges that affect both his yields and profits. “One major issue is pest infestation, particularly from cabbage loppers and aphids,” he explained.
As a vegetable farmer Mahlalela knows all too well the trials winter brings to his fields. As chilly winds sweep through, frost threatens delicate crops like tomatoes and spinach, demanding urgent protective measures from mulching to makeshift greenhouses. Shorter daylight hours slow plant development, while cold, damp soil encourages root rot and fungal outbreaks that require constant vigilance.
Transporting produce becomes a race against time, with slippery roads and delayed access to local markets cuts into profit margins. For Mahlalela, every winter harvest is the result of relentless work and calculated risk balancing crop rotation, choosing resilient varieties and staying ahead of nature’s curveballs.
Despite the financial strain and physical toll, he remains committed to feeding his community year-round. His perseverance paints a vivid picture of agricultural endurance, inspiring others to dig deep literally and figuratively even when the seasons turn harsh.
“Despite the challenges I face I never relax to push my business, I have faced a lot of challenges from hailstorm, heatwave, drought, pest and diseases and high input costs. The worst disaster was the hailstorm of October 28, 2023, which swept everything that was on the farm, but despite this challenge I remained undefeated,” shared Mahlalela.
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