YERF Revives Hope for Young Pig Farmers with New Financing Model

BY AMANDA MAMBA

Manzini – There is renewed hope for pig farmers in the country as the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund

(YERF) has called on young pig farmers to submit expressions of interest to become part of the Agri-

Value Financing Model.

The initiative is a new and innovative financing model that will be implemented in partnership with key

stakeholders.

The programme targets both existing beneficiaries of the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund and former

beneficiaries whose businesses collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 social unrest,

leaving them unable to repay their loans.

The call was made by YERF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Nkambule during a youth piggery

engagement session held at Alcon House in Manzini on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Nkambule encouraged young people aged between 18 and 35 years to express their interest if they

were still willing to continue with pig farming businesses.

“We are open to refinancing them to help kick-start their businesses again,” said Nkambule.

He said the invitation was also extended to young people who believed they had the potential, land and

basic knowledge required to venture into pig farming.

The CEO explained that the Youth Fund would issue a formal call within the next two weeks. From the

applicants, YERF would then work with its new partner, Duncan Dlamini, director of DJD Investment and

overall winner of the Eswatini Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA), to conduct baseline assessments

and inspect infrastructure.

He said the assessments would help identify the specific needs of each young farmer interested in

joining the new model.

Nkambule said the decision to revive piggery funding followed an improvement in the sector’s

profitability and gross margins.

He explained that piggery funding had previously been suspended because farmers were incurring

significant losses and were unable to repay their loans.

“Those who were funded were unable to repay their loans,” he said.

Nkambule said YERF reviewed the sector last year and noted improvements in profitability due to better

buying and selling prices, as well as greater stability in feed supply.

He added that one of the major challenges previously identified was the sharp increase in animal feed

costs, which had been influenced by several factors, including geopolitical tensions and the Russia-

Ukraine conflict.

Nkambule further noted that the demand for pork continued to grow both locally and regionally.

“EmaSwati are consumers of pork. If you also look at neighbouring countries, particularly Mozambique,

there is growing demand,” he said.

He added that within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) trade market, South Africa was

already exporting pork products to Mozambique and generating close to R40 million per month.

Nkambule said this demonstrated the huge potential for Eswatini to expand both local production and

exports.

He further explained that increasing local pork production would help reduce imports of sausages and

other pork-related products currently entering the country.

“There is also potential for processing poultry sausages and other products that are currently imported

from South Africa,” he added.

Meanwhile, young people who attended the piggery engagement session expressed excitement about

the initiative.

One of the participants, Vusi Simelane, said the session had revived his interest in pig farming, adding

that he wanted to invest further because the business had good profit potential.

He said one of the major challenges he had faced was operating on a small scale.

Simelane advised young people to start gradually and expand over time.

Another participant, Phendulile Mlipha-Mthethwa, said she was relatively new to pig farming but had

developed a strong passion for the business.

She described pig farming as a profitable venture for young people and encouraged others to join the

industry.

Mlipha-Mthethwa said she was pleased to have attended the session, as she had gained valuable

knowledge.

She explained that one of the challenges she faced was financing the business from her own pocket,

including purchasing feed and injections.

She expressed hope of receiving support from YERF to expand her business.

Mlipha-Mthethwa said patience was essential in the piggery business, adding that farmers should not

expect immediate large profits, but should grow steadily over time.

She also emphasised the importance of proper record-keeping in ensuring the success of a pig farming business.