By Delisa Thwala
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Eswatini continue to solidify their partnership in empowering rural communities, fostering inclusive economic growth, and promoting sustainable transformation of livelihoods.
This collaboration is being realized through the Financial Inclusion and Cluster Development (FINCLUDE) Project, a vital initiative aimed at uplifting smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs in Eswatini.
The FINCLUDE Project, co-financed by IFAD and the Eswatini Government, is a strategic intervention designed to enhance financial inclusion and support rural enterprises by improving access to affordable credit, skills training, and agricultural innovations.
The project targets smallholder farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and marginalized groups, ensuring that they are integrated into the broader economy.
The project focuses on cluster development, linking farmers and agribusinesses into productive value chains, thereby increasing their market access and competitiveness.
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By strengthening agricultural cooperatives and small enterprises, FINCLUDE ensures that rural households can generate sustainable incomes and build resilience against economic and environmental challenges.
One of the core pillars of the FINCLUDE Project is enhancing financial access for rural communities. Many small-scale farmers and rural entrepreneurs often struggle to secure funding due to lack of collateral or financial literacy.
Through FINCLUDE, financial services such as low-interest loans, grants, and savings programs are made accessible, empowering individuals to invest in agricultural production, agribusiness, and other income-generating activities.
By collaborating with local financial institutions, FINCLUDE promotes the adoption of innovative financial solutions, including digital banking and mobile money services, to bridge the gap between rural communities and mainstream financial systems.
The FINCLUDE Project also prioritizes climate resilience and sustainability by supporting climate-smart agricultural practices.
Farmers receive training on sustainable farming techniques, water conservation, and soil management to enhance productivity while mitigating environmental impact.
This ensures long-term food security and income stability for rural communities in Eswatini.
Additionally, the project emphasizes gender equality and youth empowerment, ensuring that women and young people have equitable access to resources and opportunities.
By engaging youth in agribusiness and modern farming practices, FINCLUDE fosters the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Through IFAD’s continued support and the Eswatini Government’s commitment, the FINCLUDE Project is creating a transformative impact on rural livelihoods.
By empowering communities with financial resources, skills, and market linkages, the initiative is fostering inclusive economic growth and sustainable rural development.
As Eswatini strives to achieve its national development goals and align with global efforts to eradicate poverty, initiatives like FINCLUDE serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of rural households, ensuring a future of resilience, prosperity, and inclusivity.
Economists have praised the FINCLUDE initiative as a game-changer for Eswatini’s rural economy. Dr. Sibusiso Dlamini, a development economist, highlights the significance of this program in addressing economic inequalities:
“The FINCLUDE Project represents a major step toward economic inclusivity in Eswatini.
By expanding financial access to smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs, the initiative is not only reducing poverty but also fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural sector.
This is crucial for long-term economic stability, as agriculture remains a key pillar of the nation’s economy.”
Dr. Dlamini further emphasizes that strengthening financial literacy and access to credit will empower rural households to become active contributors to national economic growth.
He believes that projects like FINCLUDE will help reduce rural-to-urban migration by creating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
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Through IFAD’s continued support and the Eswatini Government’s commitment, the FINCLUDE Project is creating a transformative impact on rural livelihoods.
By empowering communities with financial resources, skills, and market linkages, the initiative is fostering inclusive economic growth and sustainable rural development.
As Eswatini strives to achieve its national development goals and align with global efforts to eradicate poverty, initiatives like FINCLUDE serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of rural households, ensuring a future of resilience, prosperity, and inclusivity.
Furthermore, economic analyst Nomsa Nkambule points out that Eswatini stands to gain significantly from increased agricultural productivity:
With better access to finance and improved farming methods, we are likely to see an increase in agricultural output.
This means more food security for the country and more opportunities for export, which will help reduce Eswatini’s trade deficit.
“Through IFAD’s continued support and the Eswatini Government’s commitment, the FINCLUDE Project is creating a transformative impact on rural livelihoods.
By empowering communities with financial resources, skills, and market linkages, the initiative is fostering inclusive economic growth and sustainable rural development,” she said
As Eswatini strives to achieve its national development goals and align with global efforts to eradicate poverty,
initiatives like FINCLUDE serve as a beacon of hope for thousands of rural households, ensuring a future of resilience, prosperity, and inclusivity.
