BY NOMTHANDAZO MAYISELA (INTERN)
MHLAMBANYATSI – Farmers in Mhlambanyatsi Inkhundla gathered in large numbers on April 9, 2026, as the Ministry of Agriculture, led by Minister Mandla Tshawuka, brought services directly to the community, giving farmers a powerful platform to speak openly about the challenges affecting their livelihoods.
The engagement, held under the “Taking the Ministry to the People” initiative, is part of government’s Nkwe directive introduced by Mswati III during the State Opening of Parliament in February 2026, which calls on ministries to accelerate service delivery and reach citizens at grassroots level.
Farmers engaged face-to-face with key institutions, including the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise, Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund, National Agricultural Marketing Board, National Maize Corporation and Eswatini Dairy Board, receiving guidance on production, financing, marketing and livestock development.
Mhlambanyatsi Member of Parliament Bonginkosi Dlamini said the platform allows communities to raise real concerns while ensuring government responds directly to their needs on the ground.
Tshawuka said the initiative is aimed at closing the gap between farmers and service providers by engaging them where production takes place.
“We are bringing services to the people so that we understand what farmers are struggling with and close that gap,” he said.
“This will help us achieve our key priorities, including food sovereignty and wealth creation.”
However, farmers raised serious concerns, with stock theft emerging as one of the biggest threats to livestock production. Many said the ongoing theft of cattle and goats continues to weaken their investments and disrupt rural livelihoods.
In response, Tshawuka said government is strengthening measures to curb the crime, including reviewing laws to increase penalties for offenders, while also working with South African authorities and national security agencies to address cross-border livestock theft.
Water shortages were also highlighted as a major constraint to crop production. The Minister said efforts are underway to improve water infrastructure through partnerships aimed at supporting better productivity in communities.
Farmers welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful step towards improving access to services and restoring confidence in the agricultural sector.
The outreach reflects a growing shift towards inclusive, responsive and farmer-centred service delivery, ensuring that rural producers are placed at the centre of Eswatini’s agricultural transformation.
#Agriculture #Eswatini #Farmers #FoodSecurity
