BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– The newly appointed Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative to Eswatini, Rosanne Marchesich, says she will work with Government and other partners to mobilise public and private investment needed to transform the country’s agrifood systems.
Marchesich was officially unveiled as the FAO Representative on October 1, 2026, at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room by Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka.
Addressing the media following her unveiling, Marchesich said FAO was ready to support Eswatini’s efforts to strengthen domestic food production, improve agricultural productivity and develop climate-resilient value chains.
She said the organisation would also support efforts to expand value addition and mobilise the investment required to transform the country’s agrifood systems.
“I arrive following the establishment of a fully-fledged FAO Representation in Eswatini, made possible through the signing of the Host Country Agreement. This marks an important new chapter in the longstanding partnership between FAO and the Kingdom,” Marchesich said.
Her appointment comes at a time when Eswatini is pursuing an agricultural transformation agenda centred on food sovereignty, climate resilience, inclusive economic growth and improved livelihoods.
Marchesich said the country’s vision for agriculture was particularly important as farmers continued to face the effects of drought, climate variability and market challenges.
She said FAO would work closely with the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture to help address these challenges while creating opportunities for farmers and other participants across the agrifood value chain.
Underlining the broader importance of agriculture, Marchesich said the sector should not only be viewed in terms of food production.
“Agriculture is about more than producing food. It is about livelihoods, jobs, nutrition and economic opportunity,” she said.
She said the partnership between FAO, Government and other stakeholders presented an opportunity to build more productive and inclusive agrifood systems that could benefit emaSwati, particularly women and young people.
Marchesich said she had already been encouraged by the ambition and determination she had observed in Eswatini since her arrival.
She pledged to work alongside Government and development partners to build on the momentum in the country’s agricultural sector and support its continued advancement.
The establishment of the fully-fledged FAO Representation follows the signing of the Host Country Agreement, strengthening the institutional framework for FAO’s engagement with Eswatini.
The new representation is expected to provide a stronger platform for collaboration on agricultural development, food security, climate resilience, investment and inclusive economic opportunities.
Marchesich commended Minister Tshawuka and the Ministry of Agriculture for their leadership and commitment to advancing Eswatini’s agricultural transformation agenda.
She also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she had received since arriving in the Kingdom, saying she looked forward to working with Government and all stakeholders committed to advancing agriculture.
The FAO Representative’s priorities are aligned with Eswatini’s efforts to develop an agrifood sector capable of responding to climate-related pressures while creating sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities.
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