Africa-Press – Eswatini. For the farmers of Eswatini’s lowveld, the past year has felt nothing short of historic. Many of them arrived at their fields before sunrise, tended their cane through heatwaves, drought scares, and market uncertainties, and today, their resilience finally took centre stage.
At Tree Tops Hotel, where EWADE engaged the country’s editors, CEO Dr. Sam Sithole revealed a milestone that belongs first and foremost to these men and women of the soil: farmers collectively generated close to E1 billion in sugar cane revenue over the last 12 months.
The announcement landed like a celebration of rural triumph.
What might look like mere numbers on paper represents thousands of stories, families paying school fees with ease, homesteads being renovated, community savings groups growing stronger, and young people returning to farming with renewed hope. As Dr. Sithole noted, “This is the farmers’ victory. We are simply the enablers.”
A Billion-Rand Story Written in the Fields
The numbers tell a compelling story. Sugar cane output surged to 1 108 680 tons, an increase of 411 462 tons from the previous year, a leap fuelled by expanded irrigation under LUSIP II, SAPEMP, and other EWADE-supported programmes. This spike in production translated into E999 million in total farmer revenue, marking the highest figure ever recorded under EWADE.
The ripple effect on the national economy was equally striking. Farmers contributed E154.6 million to the national tax base, part of the overall E251 million in remitted taxes, evidence that smallholder agriculture is not just a rural livelihood, but a driver of national development.
155 000 Lives Touched, And Counting
Beyond the impressive financials, the CEO detailed EWADE’s human impact across the country. Through various projects, the organisation reached 155 377 people, providing opportunities and essential services that shape long-term wellbeing.
Access to basic services improved significantly:
– 71 689 people gained access to potable water.
– 71 826 people benefitted from newly installed VIP sanitation facilities.
Food security efforts also made a difference. Under the Hamba Ubuye initiative, 206 farmers were supported to cultivate over 1 567 hectares, producing more than 3 000 tons of food crops, helping entire communities withstand economic shocks and climate pressures.
Youth and Women Step Forward
One of the day’s proudest highlights was the surge in youth involvement. Through partnerships with PDA and Sakhalive, 50 graduate technicians and 20 young professionals were trained and placed in real agricultural roles, giving the sector a fresh wave of energy and skill.
Women’s participation also grew through SAPEMP and the soon-to-launch EYEOP project, valued at over E486 million, which will create even more opportunities once fully approved.
Building an Economy That Works for Communities
The CEO also outlined how EWADE’s work stimulates broader economic growth. In 2024/25:
– 5 669 jobs were created across various projects.
– E310 million was spent on goods and services, fuelling local enterprises.
– MSMEs alone received E71 million in procurement opportunities.
The ongoing expansion of LUSIP II, now covering over 3 000 hectares, means more families will soon join the commercial farming space, widening the circle of rural prosperity.
“When Farmers Prosper, the Nation Prospers”
Bringing the session to a close, Dr. Sithole emphasised EWADE’s dedication to empowering rural communities and driving inclusive development.
“When farmers prosper, the nation prospers,” he said, a fitting summary of a year defined by agricultural excellence.
After today’s presentation, one truth stands tall: Eswatini’s farmers are no longer silent contributors in the background of the economy. They are leading it, and their near E1 billion achievement is a testament to what happens when hard work meets opportunity.
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