MAHLANGATSHA – Senior officials and board members of the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) were left visibly stunned on Wednesday after touring thriving maize farms in Mahlangatsha, Manzini Region.
The one-day field visit revealed cribs overflowing with golden maize cobs—each structure measuring 14 metres long and two metres wide, and holding up to 30 tons of maize. Farmers say this boom is no coincidence but the direct result of targeted support from EWADE.
Local growers hailed the Hambabuye Fund, a key EWADE initiative, as the driving force behind their transition from small-scale subsistence farming to fully-fledged commercial maize production. Many took turns to thank the agency for what they called “a true game changer.”
The tour, which included both the board and executive leadership of EWADE, was part of a broader review of agricultural progress in the region. Officials saw firsthand how the initiative is not only feeding communities but also supporting rural livelihoods and strengthening Eswatini’s food independence.
Farmers described how the fund enabled them to access the resources and technical support needed to scale up their operations. Many are now selling maize at market level and reinvesting in their fields, with some even exploring regional supply chains.
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