ESWATINI’S E239M AGRO-VALUE STRATEGY

MBABANE – Government has launched a five-year national agro-value chain development strategy for fruits and vegetables, meat and meat products and the national industrial upgrading and modernisation programme (IUMP)

This transpired at the Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini yesterday. The strategy and IUMP which seeks to create and provide an enabling environment for value chain actors to operate efficiently and effectively, among others. The total cost of implementing the strategy is E239 777 102.  

Acting Minister for Agriculture, Manqoba Khumalo, stressed that agriculture was at the core of the economy and it was identified as a key sector in the country’s economy recovery path. 

“This is because agriculture has, since time immemorial, proven to be one of the most resilient sectors. The prevailing COVID-19 situation is proof of that, as we have witnessed impressive growth in the sector; both for domestic and subsistence purposes,” shared the minister. 

The minister said the industrial policy was envisioning a structural change in the country’s growth path through value addition and diversification to achieve a globally competitive industrial base. This will be achieved through the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, resilient and competitive economy by promoting viable industrial sectors, diversification and value chain development in the country’s priority sectors – agriculture included.

“In order to effectively implement the Industrial Policy, His Majesty’s Government then collaborated with development partners to undertake a value chain diagnostic study in the agro-processing sector. The funding also covered the development of a strategy and a costed implementation plan, as well as  IUMP,” said the minister.

The analysis undertaken identified agro-value chain sectors that have potential to employ more people, increase exports, promote import substitution, diversify the economy, are highly competitive, promote environmental sustainability and are highly inclusive in terms of integration of women, the youth and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the value chains.

The implementation of the strategy and IUMP is the responsibility of government, the private sector and international cooperating partners.

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