BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
EZULWINI- His Majesty King Mswati III has urged African Union member states to provide investors with stable policies, harmonised regulations and a predictable environment to attract investment into the continent’s seed sector.
The King made the call on Tuesday night during the dinner at Ezulwini Palazzo, where he officially opened the inaugural Africa Seed Summit.
He said Africa’s seed sector required investment to establish a robust and sustainable supply of viable, high-yielding and affordable seed.
“A robust and sustainable supply of viable, high-yielding and affordable seed plays a pivotal role in agricultural development and it will not materialise without investment,” said the King.
He called on development and strategic partners as well as the private sector to invest capital, technology and skills in Africa’s seed sector.
“To our development and strategic partners, and to the private sector, we say that Africa’s seed sector is ready for your capital, your technology and your skills,” he said.
The King, however, said African countries also had a responsibility to create conditions that would encourage investors to commit resources to the sector.
“To our fellow member states, we say that investors look for stable policies, harmonised regulations and a predictable environment and it is our duty to provide them,” he said.
The King said investment was necessary to improve the supply of critical inputs required to increase agricultural production.
He linked the investment drive to broader efforts to establish resilient seed systems and vibrant agricultural value chains across the continent.
The King said African countries also needed to domesticate and operationalise existing continental programmes in their own contexts.
He said the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme provided a continental blueprint for strengthening seed production.
He urged member states to turn such frameworks into practical action capable of increasing production and building strong and resilient seed systems.
“Frameworks that remain on paper feed no one,” said the King.
He said stronger agricultural value chains could also help address socio-economic challenges, including unemployment affecting young people across African countries.
The King said a young person who produced, processed or traded in quality seed was not looking for employment but was creating it.
He also said African countries needed to work collectively because no single member state could build a secure seed system alone.
According to the King, the African Union provided a platform for countries to agree on common frameworks, harmonise standards, mobilise resources and hold one another accountable.
He said the Kingdom of Eswatini pledged its unwavering support to the African Union and its member states as they worked together to build resilient seed systems, diversify economies and secure a sustainable future.
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(Courtesy Pic)
