By NOXOLO DLAMINI
ROME, ITALY – Eswatini is seeking to mobilise E900 million over four years to transform its agrifood systems through four priority agricultural investment opportunities presented by Minister for Agriculture Honourable Mandla Tshawuka at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Rome, Italy, today.
The proposed investments focus on establishing a seed multiplication facility, expanding grain production, developing a food processing facility and strengthening aquaculture. The initiatives are aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, creating employment opportunities, improving food security and building resilient and sustainable food systems in the country.
Presenting the investment cases at the FAO World Food Forum, Tshawuka highlighted the growing demand for food among the country’s population, emphasising the need to increase domestic agricultural production and attract investment into the sector.
“We have an increasing demand for food for our local population,” said Tshawuka.
The four investment opportunities are intended to address key areas of the agricultural value chain, from the production of quality seeds and grains to food processing and fish farming.
The proposed seed multiplication facility is expected to create opportunities to strengthen seed production, while investment in grain production could help increase the domestic supply of essential food commodities.
Meanwhile, the planned food processing facility presents an opportunity to expand value addition by processing agricultural produce into finished or semi-finished products. This could help create additional economic opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
The aquaculture investment case seeks to promote opportunities in fish farming, contributing to food production and the diversification of agricultural activities.
Together, the four projects reflect Eswatini’s ambition to attract investment that can unlock the potential of its agricultural sector while strengthening the country’s capacity to meet its food requirements.
The E900 million investment mobilisation target over four years underscores the government’s focus on securing resources to support agricultural development and improve the sustainability of the agrifood system.
The presentation at the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum also provides a platform for Eswatini to showcase its priority agricultural projects to potential investors and development partners.
Through the proposed investments, the country seeks to strengthen food production, expand opportunities for employment and promote a more productive and resilient agricultural sector.
The Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum forms part of FAO’s broader efforts to connect countries with investment opportunities capable of accelerating agricultural development, reducing poverty and improving food security.
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