BY BONAKELE MABUZA
MBABANE – The National Maize Corporation (NMC) wants the E500 million lost through imports to start circulating in Eswatini.
This, according to NMC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mavela Vilane, will happen by improving production of crops such as maize and beans. Currently, these crops are imported from countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, among other countries. Because of the imports, the country loses about E500 million per year.
The current state of affairs does not sit well with people such as Vilane. During an interview with journalists yesterday at Kudzeni (under Ludzeludze Constituency, in the Manzini Region), Vilane expressed his worry that the country could lose such an amount per year due to the fact that it lost so much money importing such products. The journalists wanted his reaction on the shortage of maize in the country.
“When we consider both maize and beans in monetary terms, the country is spending approximately half a billion per year on purchasing maize from South Africa and beans from countries like Mozambique, Malawi, and neighbouring nations,” Vilane said.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka on Saturday (June 13, 2024), speaking at Swaziland Milling in Matsapha, acknowledged the severity of maize shortage in the country and outlined a plan to ensure food security for the nation.
Minister Tshawuka addressed the reality, saying Eswatini’s maize yield had declined by 12 percent due to hailstorms, a consequence of climate change. This loss, according to the minister, translated to a critical shortage, leaving over 300 000 Emaswati in need of immediate food assistance, according to the Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC).
Minister Tshawuka emphasised the Government’s commitment to self-sufficiency.
“We condemn dependence on external food sources and we vow to empower the country to produce its own maize. This shift towards domestic production aims to demonstrate the country’s capability to feed its population and become a self-sustaining nation,” said the minister.
The Chairperson of Swaziland Consumers Forum, Mandla Ntshakala has issued a passionate plea for the Government to launch programs aimed at promoting sustainable food production in the country. Emphasising the hard work and dedication of Emaswati, he highlighted the critical need for increased support and resources to enable farmers to thrive and contribute to the nation’s food security.
In his statement, the chairperson underscored the importance of government intervention in providing essential assistance to farmers. He stressed the necessity of initiatives that would facilitate access to land for farming, financial support, and the provision of agricultural machinery such as tractors. By equipping farmers with the necessary resources and tools, he stated that the government can empower them to increase their maize production and meet the growing demand for food in Eswatini.
Recognising the potential of Swazi farmers to significantly boost agricultural output, Ntshakala urged the Government to take a proactive role in supporting and uplifting the farming community. He highlighted that investing in programs that prioritise land acquisition, financial aid, and mechanisation, the Government can pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector in the country.
