Agriculture

MBABANE – FNB Eswatini has injected E100 000 into the 2024/25 Annual Smallholder Sugar cane Growers’ Competition, reaffirming its partnership with the sector.

The bank’s sponsorship will support the prestigious event celebrating top-performing smallholder growers across the country, scheduled for Friday, October 3, at the Phumulamcashi Community Training Centre.

The competition, a flagship initiative in the agricultural calendar, recognises excellence in sugar cane production by smallholder farmers who are key players in sustaining the industry and rural livelihoods.

FNB Eswatini Executive Head of Commercial Banking Chantell Littler highlighted the bank’s recognition of agriculture as a cornerstone of the national economy.

“As a business, we understand the importance of agriculture, specifically sugar cane growing and production, in growing the economy and job creation,” she said.

Smallholder sugar cane growers play a role in the country’s sugar sector, contributing not only to domestic production, but also to export markets that bring in much-needed foreign exchange. With sugar cane farming directly employing thousands and indirectly supporting rural communities, stakeholders have long called for increased investment in farmer development programmes.

FNB Eswatini staff interacting with Eswatini Sugar CEO Banele Nyamane(R), former Under Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Gugu Shabangu, Eswatini Cane Growers Association CEO Dr Sipho Nkambule and EWADE CEO Dr Samson Sithole during last year’s competition. (Pic: Courtesy)