BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Eswatini has taken a decisive step towards strengthening food security and agricultural sustainability following the signing of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) by the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) with several Government ministries and parastatals.
The agreements were signed on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, marking a significant milestone in coordinated national efforts to boost agricultural production, promote food sovereignty and ensure environmentally sustainable farming practices.
The MoUs bring together EWADE and four strategic partners: the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA), the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development (MTAD), the National Maize Corporation (NMC) and the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA). Collectively, these institutions will align expertise, resources and policy implementation to accelerate agricultural development across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, EWADE Chief Executive Officer Dr Samson Sithole described the occasion as a shift “from good intentions to structured action”. He emphasised that the partnerships formalise a shared commitment to collaboration, coordination and measurable impact, ensuring that national programmes deliver tangible benefits to farmers, communities and the broader economy.
Dr Sithole explained that the MoUs directly support the Smallholder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP), launched earlier this year. The agreements provide a practical framework for turning policy into action, particularly in supporting smallholder farmers through improved planning, production and market access.
Representing MTEA, Acting Principal Secretary Hlobisile Dlamini highlighted the importance of integrating climate change response and environmental protection into agricultural planning. She noted that the partnership would strengthen the use of meteorological data to guide climate-smart agriculture, ensuring long-term sustainability.
MTAD Principal Secretary Nonhlanhla Dlamini welcomed the collaboration, describing it as a renewal of an already strong working relationship with EWADE. She emphasised the Ministry’s focus on Chiefdom Development Plans, which adopt a bottom-up approach by incorporating community aspirations into development initiatives, including agriculture.
National Maize Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mavela Vilane said the partnership came at a crucial time, as Eswatini seeks to reduce reliance on food imports. He noted that the country currently spends up to E1.5 billion annually importing maize and beans, and expressed confidence that strengthened local production would protect national food security and economic independence.
EEA Chief Financial Officer Thabiso Nzuza reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that increased agricultural production goes hand in hand with environmental protection and preservation.
Together, the MoUs signal a unified national drive to enhance food production, empower smallholder farmers and build a resilient, self-reliant agricultural sector. Through collaboration and shared accountability, EWADE and its partners are laying the foundation for a more food-secure and sustainable Eswatini.
