BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Nkwene farmers have expressed their gratitude to government for the E255 million water project that was handed to them this week.
The project was handed over by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development on Wednesday (August 21, 2024). However, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr Thambo Elieza Gina was represented by Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development Sikhumbuzo Dlamini during the hand-over. Dlamini is also a Member of Parliament (MP) of Nkwene Inkhundla.
Reacting to what government did, the farmers stated that prior, they were unable to produce vegetables because of water shortages in that place. The farmers, through this project, will now be able to draw water from a dam built by government to their fields, where they will be able to water their agricultural products using sprinklers.
Speaking to Eswatini TV, one of the farmers said they would be able to produce every time, as opposed to waiting for rains, which were no longer predictable these days. Another female farmer expressed gratitude to Government for availing water to them, stating that they would now be able to use the money generated from these activities to enable their children to go to school, for instance. The farmer said what was good about them was that they were near the road (Yithi Abantu Highway), so their products could easily be noticed. She was also thankful to the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) for helping them access the markets that needed their products.
The project focuses on developing 527.2 hectares of land across three regions: Hhohho, Manzini, and Shiselweni. The project will benefit farmers in 16 different schemes, helping them increase productivity and improve household incomes. This initiative is not just about farming. It is about building a stronger, more resilient economy for Eswatini. By reducing the country’s reliance on rain-dependent agriculture, Emaswati will ensure that farming activities can thrive even in the face of climate change.
