BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MANZINI – Representing Minister Mandla Tshawuka, Agriculture Principal Secretary Sydney Simelane said agroecology was central to securing Eswatini’s food future, as he opened the country’s first Sustainable Agriculture Indaba at Mavuso Trade Centre on Tuesday.
The landmark two-day indaba, themed “Agroecology for Food Systems Resilience and Climate Justice,” has brought together voices from government, farmers, academia, civil society, and the private sector, alongside international delegates from 14 African countries.
Simelane said agriculture remained the backbone of rural livelihoods, with over 70% of emaSwati living in rural areas dependent on farming. But he warned that the sector was under pressure from climate change, land degradation, poor infrastructure, and limited access to quality seeds and markets.
“These challenges continue to limit our potential, but agroecology offers a clear pathway towards resilience, sustainability, and justice for smallholder farmers,” he said.
“What makes this indaba important is that it puts farmers’ voices and farmer-led innovations at the centre of shaping policy and solutions.”
He applauded the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Eswatini, which organised the event, for its role in strengthening smallholder farmers and promoting ecological farming practices.
He noted that PELUM represents at least 20 organisations and over 15 000 farmers across the country.
The PS added that agroecology aligned with Eswatini’s development strategies and continental goals, including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP).
“Agroecology is not new. It is part of our indigenous knowledge, rooted in saving seeds, protecting soil health, and promoting biodiversity. Today, we are reclaiming those practices and elevating them as the future of food security,” he said.
Day one of the indaba saw lively discussions and exhibitions from institutions such as the Eswatini Environment Authority, Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative (TAVI), COSPE, Eswatini Rural Women Assembly, Agrimedic, and the Eswatini National Agricultural Union. International perspectives came from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The event will continue tomorrrow with more panel discussions, farmer showcases, and policy dialogues aimed at building momentum towards climate-resilient food systems.
