by Ncaba Ntshakala
During the World Food Day event at Mhlangatane Inkhundla, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka emphasized the urgent situation regarding Eswatini’s food security and the necessity for a collective shift towards food sovereignty.
As the nation faces an increasing dependence on food imports, Tshawuka shared alarming statistics indicating that Eswatini spends around E500 million each year solely on importing maize and beans.
He expressed concern about the declining production levels of essential staples such as maize, beans, and milk, which have struggled to fulfil the nation’s needs over the past three seasons.
The Minister highlighted the urgency and complexity of the food security issues, exacerbated by climate change, financial limitations, and insufficient resources that hinder local agricultural progress.
Tshawuka set specific targets for Eswatini’s agricultural output to satisfy local food demands, aiming for the production of 140,000 metric tonnes of white maize, 7,000 metric tonnes of sugar beans, and 84 million litres of milk annually.
However, he noted a significant shortfall, with maize production dropping from 127,000 metric tonnes to just 75,000 metric tonnes in the last three seasons.
Bean production has stagnated at 300 metric tonnes, while milk production remains around 21 million litres, far below the established goals.
This lack of domestic production has intensified Eswatini’s reliance on imports, adversely affecting the economy.
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The cost associated with importing maize and beans has consistently drained the country’s resources, moving Eswatini further from achieving food self-sufficiency.
The theme for this year’s World Food Day, “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future – Leave No One Behind,” aligns closely with the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic goal of securing food sovereignty rapidly.
When reminded of the mandate from His Majesty the King, Tshawuka underscored the critical importance of producing sufficient food domestically, echoing a message from Rome, Italy, where global leaders urged nations to prioritize local food production and minimize import reliance.
“As Emaswati, we must heed this call first,” Tshawuka stated.
The Minister detailed various initiatives the Ministry is implementing to transform Eswatini’s agricultural landscape, particularly highlighting the “Kumikisa Litiko Ebantfwini” program.
This initiative involves visits to Tinkhundla centres, encouraging farmers to enhance the production of crucial crops like maize and beans in high rainfall regions, cultivate vegetables and fruits in irrigated areas, and raise suitable livestock in appropriate zones.
The Ministry is also emphasizing commercial farming to expedite the achievement of local demand targets and boost exports, which could stimulate economic growth and support rural communities.
However, Tshawuka acknowledged the numerous challenges that have impeded agricultural progress in Eswatini. Climate change has inflicted significant damage, with delayed rainfall, extended dry spells, and unseasonal hailstorms becoming increasingly common.
The Minister pointed out that just two weeks into the rainy season, the country has already faced three hailstorms, one notably severe.
He noted that these extreme weather events not only impact crop yields but also expose farmers to financial losses, making sustained agricultural production difficult.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture is actively working to enhance climate resilience among farmers and diversifying funding sources to implement adaptation strategies.
Tshawuka mentioned several initiatives aimed at supporting Eswatini’s Agrifood Systems Transformation.
Protected farming practices are being promoted through training and infrastructure support, with assistance from international partners like the World Food Programme and Taiwan.
Additionally, the SAPEMP project has been initiated to bolster climate resilience, supported by Parliament, and irrigation infrastructure projects like the Mphakeni and LUSIP II dams are underway, financed by the European Union.
Furthermore, the Ministry has secured funding for livestock development initiatives, such as beef and goat farming, through European Union support and is exploring additional funding opportunities via the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
To attract private investment, the Ministry organized an Investment Indaba in September, engaging stakeholders interested in Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
Tshawuka also highlighted the recent presentation of Eswatini’s agricultural investment opportunities at the FAO conference in Rome, with plans for a follow-up meeting in Eswatini to connect with business leaders from both Rome and Serbia.
The Ministry’s commitment to expanding financial assistance for farmers is also reflected in a recent agreement between NMC, NAMBOARD, and Eswatini Bank to broaden the Horticulture Fund.
Originally focused on vegetables, the fund now includes maize and beans under the newly renamed “Horticulture and Grain Fund.”
Additionally, the National Maize Corporation (NMC) has been assigned to redirect some funds previously allocated for maize imports towards local farming projects, which could significantly reduce the cost per ton of maize stored in silos and alleviate some economic pressure from import dependence.
Beyond these initiatives, Tshawuka highlighted the wide array of financial programs available to support Eswatini’s farmers.
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These include the Hamba Ubuye soft loan scheme, the Central Bank Loan Guarantee Scheme, the FINCLUDE Loan Guarantee Scheme, the Rural Development Fund (RDF), the Youth Revolving Fund, the Government Subsidy and Tractor Hire Program, and the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund.
These programs are designed to provide accessible financial assistance to farmers, empowering them to overcome challenges and enhance local food production.
Tshawuka emphasized the government’s commitment to investing in agriculture and its vision for a future where every LiSwati has access to nutritious food without relying on imports.
While acknowledging that the journey to food sovereignty may be challenging, he believes that through collective efforts, strategic investments, and resilience amid adversity, Eswatini can cultivate a sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural sector that serves the entire nation.
