By Thokozani Mazibuko
To bolster agricultural productivity and food security in Eswatini, Mafutseni Member of Parliament Sabelo Mtetwa, with support from Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga,
has called on the House of Assembly to adopt the Report of the Finance Committee regarding the International Fund for Agricultural Development Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SADEMP) Loan Bill No. 8 of 2024.
During the assembly session, MP Mtetwa highlighted the crucial details of the proposed loan, amounting to E360 million,
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which is set to be repaid over a span of 25 years. Remarkably, he pointed out that securing this loan would also allow the country access to a grant of E20 million, a valuable resource that could further enhance agricultural initiatives.
“This loan is a significant step towards sustainability and will directly benefit our constituents,” Mtetwa stated.
“By investing in our agricultural sector, we can improve food security and create jobs, ultimately lifting many families out of poverty.”
The call to action received an emphatic endorsement from Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka, who urged the assembly members to support the Loan Bill.
He expressed concern about the current heavy financial burden the nation faces with over E2 billion spent on importing beans annually.
He emphasized, “It’s time to keep our money within our borders. This loan can help us cultivate our own crops, reducing dependency on imports and addressing the alarming unemployment rates throughout the country.”
As discussions continue in the House of Assembly, lawmakers and stakeholders alike are closely scrutinizing the potential impacts of the SADEMP initiative.
The loan aims to enhance smallholder agricultural productivity, create jobs, and ultimately pave the way for a more food-secure nation.
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If approved, the loan could signal a transformative shift in Eswatini’s agricultural landscape, transitioning from reliance on imported goods to fostering local production and employment opportunities.
Lawmakers are now faced with the pivotal decision of determining the fate of this ambitious project, one that could hold the key to a flourishing agricultural sector.
