AGRICULTURE IMPERATIVE TO ESWATINI - MINISTER

MBABANE – Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza says agriculture by its nature is a broad subject.

He said countries that have progressed have demonstrated proper collaboration practices and this clearly demonstrates that we need to do more to achieve our development mandate of alleviating poverty. He said farmers were battling with high rising costs of production, due to the uncontrollable rise in raw material for manufacturing. “With the recent weakening of the rand as it hit a low of R19.15 to the United States Dollar we are likely to see more uncertain times, but we are encouraged that we should not be dismayed and be courageous (Joshua 1vs 9),” he said.

He added that it was their responsibility as a ministry to continue finding solutions with their research unit on cheaper alternative inputs such as organic fertilisers and locally produced feed material. "As such it is exciting to know that FINCLUDE has supported the ministry  with equipment to train farmers on how to produce low-cost feed, to try and utilise material  readily available such as maize stovers, harvested grass and other readily available material to circumvent the high cost of feed,” added Mabuza.

Improvement

EswatiniBank Managing Director (MD) Nozizwe Mulela added that the MOU between EswatiniBank and CFI is an initiative solely pioneered for the development and improvement of Eswatini’s five value chain commodities; red meat, piggery, poultry, vegetables and legumes. She said they found it appropriate to partner with CFI and craft an agreement for the benefit farmers in Eswatini. “The farmers under this arrangement are our epi-centre, as without them, this initiative is non-existent. Therefore, through this partnership the intention is to address some of the challenges encountered in the five value chain commodities,” she added. The MD also mentioned that they have noted that Eswatini imports a larger portion of these five commodities from neighbouring countries, for our local consumption and domestic purposes.

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