By Bahle Gama
The Ministry of Agriculture is urging the nation to use the newly launched Client Service Charter.
This is a comprehensive document that outlines all the services provided by both the Ministry and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the agriculture portfolio.
Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza said by introducing the Client Service Charter, the Ministry was taking a significant step towards total transparency and enhanced communication with the public.
“Our Charter also serves as a testament to the Ministry’s unwavering commitment towards efficient service delivery. We pledge to support and empower our farmers and stakeholders for sustainable growth in the agriculture sector,” he said.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ministry’s boardroom, Mabuza said this is the first time the Ministry has developed such a document for public use and marvel that it will now be a working document of the Ministry.
He said it will always be updated as the Ministry improves its service delivery. “Today (Tuesday) we are gathered to launch a document that will serve as a directory of services that are being offered by the Ministry and the State-owned Enterprises under the agriculture portfolio,” Mabuza said.
The Minister elaborated that the document also succinctly describes the institutional arrangements of the Ministry and how they are aligned and tailor-made to create an enabling environment for efficient and effective service delivery as prescribed by the mandate of the Ministry.
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He said the Ministry is one of the most decentralised and officers interact and serve emaSwati at grassroots level, adding that among the users of the services are input suppliers, farmers/producers, traders, processors and consumers among many others.
“It is therefore important to ensure that the Ministry is known by everyone who lives in this country regardless of status in society as we all have an encounter with agriculture in our daily lives in one way or another,” he said.
Mabuza further stated that food and clothes come from agricultural activities, hence the sector is very important. In essence, everyone is a client and the Ministry’s services are essential. He emphasized on the importance of using the document for it belongs to the nation.
Mabuza said he was optimistic that the document will serve its purpose and achieve the objective of improving knowledge and ensuring the agriculture sector is an open book that can be read and understood by all.
He further noted that many are living in the computer age, stating that the Ministry is geared to ensure that the Service Charter is widely disseminated and made available on all information and communication platforms for ease of access.
“As a Ministry, we are looking forward to improved relations with our clients which will lead to effective and effective service delivery. The agriculture sector is dynamic, and many new technological innovations come to the fore time and again,” he said.
Mabuza added that the document will be updated periodically to capture the new developments and emerging aspects so that it remains relevant, stating that the Ministry will always be ready to capture the information.
