FIGHTING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECTS AT UNISWA ; BEAN SEED PRODUCTION AND AGRIBUSINESS FAIR SMILING THROUGH INVESTMENTS

Presentation Outline Background Information Seed Bean Production Agribusiness Fair and School Festival Conclusions

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Smiling Through Investments was established in the year 2013 It is a youth own entity composed of seven shareholders We specialize in bean seed multiplication Contributions of E300/ shareholder

Organisational Structure CEO Marketing Manager Financial Manager Production Manager Administrator Public Relations SALES MANAGER

MISSION To become Swaziland’s main centre of excellence in providing exceptional and up-to-date Agribusiness services and quality agricultural products

Provide quality and affordable agribusiness services. OBJECTIVES Provide quality and affordable agribusiness services. Provide fresh, quality and well packaged agricultural products. Enable agribusiness promotion and use of locally grown products. Develop and sustain the project as a recognized brand into the future. Strive in growth and alliances as a youth established business  

Important crop in our diets; High in protein [about 20%]; [1] WHY SEED BEAN? Important crop in our diets; High in protein [about 20%]; High demand for planting materials; But seeds are scarce; Expensive; Shortfall met through imports; Drain on foreign exchange

CROP MANAGEMENT Land preparation: Tractor Beans are a legume but do not fix enough nitrogen to meet crop demand Land preparation: Tractor Planting: Tractor using special plates Fertilisers: Type: 2-3-2 [38] Rate [Amount]: 300kg/ha

BEAN VARIETIES & AREA (Ha) Basic seed varieties (HaSSP): Natal yellow – 2 Ha Kranskop – 1 Ha Planting dates: Kranskop: Feb, 18 Natal yellow: Feb, 27 Hosted HaSSP Field in May 2014

FIELD [1/2]

FIELD [2/2]

Early in the morning to prevent splitting of pods when weather is hot. HARVESTING [1/2] Time: Natal yellow, from 19 May Kranskop, from 02 June Method: Hand Early in the morning to prevent splitting of pods when weather is hot.

HARVESTING IN PROGRESS [2/2]

DRIED BEANS TAKEN OUT OF GREENHOUSE FOR THRESHING

THRESHING

SEPARATING SEEDS FROM THE STEMS

AFTER STEM REMOVAL

POST-HARVESTING Cleaning Sorting Seed moisture test Laboratory seed purity analysis Laboratory seed germination test. Grading Packaging and labelling

CLEANING, SORTING & GRADING

PACKAGING & SEALING

10 KG PACKAGED BEANS

CHALLENGES FACED Unpredictable weather conditions (Too much/ Not enough rain) Shortage of irrigation facilities Time management as students Management of company members.

[2] AGRI-BUSINESS FAIR 3-DAY EVENT Venue: UNISWA FACOS, LUYENGO Date: 10-12 MARCH 2015 DAY 1- AGRIBUSINESS SEMINAR DAY 2- SCHOOL FESTIVAL DAY 3- EXHIBITION AND CLOSING CEREMONY

DAY 1- AGRIBUSINESS SEMINAR Official opening by Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture More than 50 farmers attended Presentations by National Maize Corporation, Swaziland Swaziland Diary Board Namboard (National Marketing Board) and UNISWA Crop Production Rep

DAY 2-SCHOOL FESTIVAL Opening remarks by FACOS Dean More than 20 high schools attended (Over 200 students) Theme: ’’Promoting youth entrepreneurship development through Agribusiness’’ Presentations by: Women farmer of the year Two young entrepreneurs

SCHOOL FESTIVAL AUDIENCE

WOMEN FARMER

DAY 3-EXHIBITION [1/3] More than 200 stand visitors 11 Companies exhibited More than 200 stand visitors 8 sponsoring companies

EXHIBITION [2/3]

EXHIBITION [3/3]

CLOSING CEREMONY [1/2]

CLOSING CEREMONY [2/2]

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES [1/2]

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES [2/2]

FUTURE GOALS Own a private farm Be a registered entity Industrialisation of the seed bean project Provide youth agribusiness mentorship Ensure that the Agribusiness Fair is hosted annually for SADC

OUR MESSAGE TO AFRICA’S YOUTHS Agribusiness is the way of life and a ticket to a food secure Africa by year 2025 The youth have a role to play in agribusiness. There is need for collaboration and youth support amongst all relevant stakeholders.

THANK YOU www.smilingthroughinvestment.com Facebook: agribusiness fair 2015