Young farmers turn Piggs Peak bush into thriving vegetable business

A young couple in Phophonyane, a rural area near Piggs Peak in the Hhohho Region, has turned an overgrown bush into a productive vegetable farm supplying major local outlets. Boniswa Dlamini-Malaza and her husband, Canaan Malaza, both trained teachers, now operate a 3.5-hectare farm on land borrowed from Boniswa’s parents.

Rows of spinach and green beans, cultivated with the help of women from the community, are now delivered to supermarkets, the Piggs Peak Hotel, and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard).

Boniswa says the farm has become a key source of income for her family and other locals. With financial support from her husband’s teaching job and a loan from Eswatini Bank, she chose to focus full-time on farming.

Her approach changed in 2024 after receiving training in climate-smart agriculture through a UNDP and NAMBoard programme. Supported by multiple international donors, the initiative equipped over 100 young farmers with knowledge in smart farming, renewable energy use, waste management, and entrepreneurship.

UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Henrik Franklin and NAMBoard CEO, Mr Bhekizwe Maziya, with their delegation pose with young farmer Njabulo Maziya in his vegetable plot.

UNDP/Mantoe Phakathi — UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Henrik Franklin and NAMBoard CEO, Mr Bhekizwe Maziya, with their delegation pose with young farmer Njabulo Maziya in his vegetable plot. UNDP/Mantoe Phakathi

Participants received drip irrigation kits for 0.2 hectares of land, enabling them to save water, reduce labour, and improve harvests. Boniswa later secured second place in the Woman Farmer of the Year Awards under the youth category.

The couple’s farm hosted a visit on May 2 by UNDP Resident Representative Henrik Franklin and NAMBoard CEO Bhekizwe Maziya, who also toured other farms in the region benefiting from the initiative. These included baby marrow grower Njabulo Gule in Esikhumulweni and tomato farmer Ntozakhe Mavuso in Ntfonjeni.

UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Henrik Franklin talks to the Malazas while touring their farm.

UNDP/Mantoe Phakathi — UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Henrik Franklin talks to the Malazas while touring their farm. UNDP/Mantoe Phakathi

While progress has been made, farmers continue to battle changing weather conditions, with excessive rainfall and hailstorms threatening crops. Some have identified shade nets as a necessary next step.

Franklin noted that agribusiness remains a viable career path for youth, but unpredictable weather conditions remain a major hurdle. He acknowledged the role of the donor countries in supporting young farmers with the tools and access they need to grow.

Maziya commended the farmers for adopting modern practices to improve productivity and called the partnership with UNDP a vital contribution to youth involvement in agriculture.