BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – Minister of Agriculture Honourable Mandla Tshawuka has called on Eswatini’s farmers to take a leading role in transforming agriculture into a cornerstone of the national economy, revealing that the government has disbursed over E40 million to support farmers across various value chains.
He made the remarks while officially opening the 2025 Eswatini National Agricultural Union (ESNAU) Annual Policy Conference at The George Hotel yesterday.
“I am pleased to be part of this occasion, hosted by ESNAU, a valuable partner in our efforts to improve the wellbeing and standard of life for our main client and partner, the farmer,” Minister Tshawuka said.
He urged the conference to be action-oriented, warning against turning it into “one of the talk-shops that will not move the country in the right direction.” He emphasized that policy decisions made at the event should result in tangible benefits for farmers.
The Minister highlighted several initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and food security.
These include the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund, which has disbursed over E40 million to farmers, and improvements to the input subsidy programme, designed to help households produce enough food and reduce national dependence on imports.
Minister Tshawuka also addressed ongoing challenges, such as the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Shiselweni, praising farmers for complying with protocols that will allow trade to resume safely.
“Government’s main aim is to ensure that farmers have the environment they need to transform agriculture from a sector that constantly needs support to a pillar of the Eswatini economy,” he said.
The conference, themed “Increasing value through farmer membership, association, skills building, and technology,” brought together farmers, government officials, and development partners, including NamBoard, National Maize Corporation, Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development, and the Women Farmer Foundation.
Over the next two days, ESNAU will unveil new member offerings, including a digital membership card, revamped funeral policy, and crop insurance, initiatives the Minister said would improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.
The two-day conference is expected to provide a platform for collaboration, actionable insights, and practical solutions that empower farmers and strengthen Eswatini’s agricultural output.
(Courtesy Pics)
