By Mbono Mdluli
SHISELWENI – A wave of hope is rising from Paradise Farm, where Acting Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla recently toured a promising food security initiative focused on bean cultivation.
The visit, held on Friday, June 6, 2025, highlighted a growing collaboration between the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) to support vulnerable communities.
Empowering Local Agriculture
At the heart of the visit was a deep dive into the bean production process. Thami Ndzabukelwako, an agricultural expert, guided the Acting Prime Minister through each phase, from planting to harvest, showing how the project is designed to deliver consistent yields.
EWADE’s CEO, Dr. Samson Sithole, emphasized the critical role beans play in school feeding programs and national food reserves. Fellow EWADE officials Robert Mabundza and Bongani Magagula also encouraged crop diversification, suggesting the inclusion of fruits to broaden nutritional benefits and strengthen food resilience across Eswatini.
Adopting Global Agricultural Wisdom
Drawing inspiration from her recent trip to Brazil, the Acting Prime Minister shared forward-thinking ideas that could revolutionize farming back home. These included the promotion of water harvesting systems at household level and the integration of aquaculture into community life.
“Imagine every school and community with its own fishpond,” she said enthusiastically, “not only would we improve diets, but we would also create jobs and empower our youth.”
Driving Local Impact
Member of Parliament Shawnette Henwood praised the initiative for creating employment and boosting regional food supply. Her sentiments were echoed by NDMA’s Technical Director, Sandile Thwala, who lauded the scale of the Paradise Farm project—spanning over 60 hectares—and its potential to yield impressive harvests.
A Vision of Abundance
The Acting Prime Minister’s visit marked more than just a tour; it was a declaration of intent to tackle food insecurity with innovation, collaboration, and care. Through bold leadership and unified efforts, projects like Paradise Farm are sowing seeds of sustainability and prosperity for all Emaswati.
(Pics: DPMO)
