By Ncaba Ntshakala
The UNDP Acting Resident Coordinator Dr. Gita Honwana Welch highlighted the critical role of youth empowerment to curb unemployment during the presentation of agricultural equipment to 104 young farmers.
The equipment, provided through a partnership between UNDP and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), is valued at over E450,000 and is said will help address the nation’s socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Welch emphasized the gravity of the unemployment crisis, noting that the national unemployment rate stands at 33%, with a staggering 58% among the youth aged 18 to 35.
“If you have such a large number of young people who have no sources of livelihood, families, communities, and the country as a whole are likely to suffer from socio-economic challenges,” she remarked.
She further highlighted that two-thirds of Eswatini’s population live in rural areas and rely heavily on agriculture.
However, the sector faces severe setbacks due to climate change, such as droughts and floods, which have significantly reduced agricultural yields and made it difficult for many, especially the youth, to sustain their livelihoods.
The UNDP/NAMBoard partnership is part of the “Empowering Youth and Women with Green Skills for Accelerating NDC Implementation for Eswatini” project, which aims to equip young farmers across the nation’s four regions with essential skills.
Dr. Welch proudly noted that over 100 farmers were trained under this program, with more than 60% of the participants being women.
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“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to NAMBoard for skillfully orchestrating this training initiative and to the participants for their unwavering dedication to seizing this opportunity to enhance their livelihoods,” she added.
The newly distributed climate-smart agriculture equipment includes drip irrigation systems and storage facilities designed to bolster the farmers’ efforts in utilizing their newly acquired skills effectively.
This support will not only enable the young farmers to produce food sustainably but also to secure their livelihoods.
Dr. Welch pointed out that this partnership stems from the Climate Smart Market Oriented Agriculture (CSMA) project,
which previously assisted two farming schemes in the Hhohho and Manzini regions, enhancing production by supporting farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices and tools to facilitate market access for improved income generation.
While the CSMA project achieved significant results, a 2022 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report indicated a slow adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices across 10 SADC countries, including Eswatini.
“Therefore, this project will not only help improve the uptake of CSA practices in the country but it will also enhance food production and transform livelihoods for the youth,” Dr. Welch asserted.
The youth empowerment initiative is a priority close to UNDP’s heart, aligning with the government’s focus on job creation and skills development for young people. UNDP, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders,
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developed the Eswatini Youth Empowerment Programme (EYEP) to support unemployed youth graduates by placing them with participating organizations for six months while earning a monthly stipend.
Since last year, 300 graduates have gained valuable skills and experience across 70 organizations in various sectors,
with institutions benefiting from the infusion of young talent. Additionally, EYEP has trained 360 young people across the four regions in artisanal skills such as sewing, plumbing, upholstery, metalwork, building and construction, and electrical installation.
Dr. Welch concluded by emphasizing UNDP’s dedication to supporting Eswatini in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“With more resources and partnerships, we can turn the tide against poverty and transform many lives of emaSwati,” she said.
The agricultural equipment distribution event is a significant milestone in this ongoing effort, providing young farmers with the tools they need to thrive and contribute to the nation’s development.
