By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, has called on cotton farmers to make better use of the country’s cotton ginnery, where he emphasized its potential benefits for agricultural productivity and economic growth.
During a tour with the Ministry’s Portfolio Committees from both houses of parliament at the Cotton Board and Nisela Farms, the Minister highlighted the underutilization of the cotton ginnery as a missed opportunity, particularly for farmers in the lowveld regions.
“This presents a good opportunity for farmers, especially those in the lowveld, to consider cotton farming given their climatic conditions,” Minister Tshawuka stated.
In his remarks the Minister encouraged emaSwati to venture into cotton farming, a sector he believes holds significant promise due to the favorable weather conditions in certain parts of the country.
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Minister Tshawuka also urged farmers to diversify their crops by incorporating bean production. He noted the current shortage of locally produced beans, which has led to high import rates.
“Producing beans locally will not only diversify agricultural production but also enhance food security by reducing dependency on imports,” the Minister explained.
He assured farmers that the Ministry would provide comprehensive support, including expertise, market access, and ensuring favorable buying prices for their produce.
During the tour, the Minister and the legislators got to know more about the role of the Eswatini Cotton Board (ECB) in supporting farmers.
Those interested in cotton farming are encouraged to contact the ECB, which offers a range of services to aid farmers.
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These services include the provision of high-quality cotton seeds, training programs to equip farmers with essential knowledge and skills, and transportation logistics to ease the burden on farmers.
The Eswatini Cotton Board is a parastatal under the Ministry of Agriculture which was established through the Cotton Act (Act No. 26 of 1967).
It received Royal assent on February 20, 1968, and was brought into force by the then Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives on May 19, 1968.
The inaugural meeting took place in Manzini on May 17, 1968. Before the establishment of the ECB, cotton affairs were managed by the Cotton Advisory Committee, which provided advice to the Director of Agriculture on matters affecting the cotton industry.
