KING CALLS FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AGRICULTURAL GROWTH

MBABANE – His Majesty King Mswati III has reaffirmed the Kingdom of Eswatini’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty, emphasising the importance of local food production to reduce reliance on imports. Addressing the nation during the 2025 Speech from the Throne, the king highlighted key government initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s agricultural sector, improving water security and promoting agro-processing industries.The King emphasised that financial resources alone do not guarantee food security, making it crucial for Eswatini to produce what it eats rather than depending on external markets.“Food sovereignty remains a priority for the Kingdom of Eswatini. The country is aiming at producing all the food that it eats since the availability of financial resources does not guarantee a provision of food,” said the king.

Strategy

This statement underscores government’s strategy to boost local food production by supporting farmers, improving irrigation infrastructure and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices. One of the key challenges faced by Eswatini in 2024 was a shortfall in the country’s targeted maize production, attributed to extreme heat waves. Maize, being the staple food in Eswatini, remains a critical component of food security. However, climate change-induced weather patterns have posed risks to production levels.“In 2024, the country experienced a shortfall in its targeted metric tonnes of maize due to the heat waves that affected us.

However, farmers have taken advantage of the subsidised tractor hire services, thus creating anticipation of an improved harvest for 2025,” said His Majesty. The government’s subsidised tractor hire service has been a major boost for farmers, enabling them to cultivate larger portions of land efficiently. With improved mechanisation and better preparation for the upcoming planting season, an increase in maize production is expected in 2025.

Provide

Recognising the need to adapt to changing climatic conditions, the king announced that government continues to provide incentives for farmers to diversify their crop production. “Government continues to provide incentives that encourage diversification of production and venture into other crops that adapt to climate change,” he said. This move aligns with global trends, where climate-smart agriculture is being promoted as a long-term solution to food insecurity. Farmers are being encouraged to grow drought-resistant crops such as sorghum, millet and legumes, which require less water, while providing high nutritional value and economic benefits. Water security is a key enabler of sustainable agriculture. To address this, the king revealed that priority is being given to the construction of small and medium multi-purpose dams in various communities. These dams will support small-scale farmers by ensuring a consistent water supply for irrigation, enabling them to expand their operations and enter commercial farming.

“Priority is being given to the construction of small and medium multi-purpose dams in communities to improve water security and enable small-scale farmers to grow their produce and venture into commercial farming,” he said. Beyond farming, these dams will also contribute to livestock production, fisheries and rural development, creating a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural sector. While food production is important, the king stressed the need for processing agricultural products locally to promote industrial growth and reduce dependency on imported processed foods. “After producing, we must then process the goods to promote agri-process industries in Eswatini,” he said. Agro-processing adds value to raw agricultural products, creating business opportunities for local manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs. The development of processing facilities for maize, fruits, dairy and meat products will contribute to Eswatini’s industrialisation strategy, increase export potential and generate employment.

Constructing

In another significant development, the king highlighted that government is constructing a distribution centre and cold storage facility at the King Mswati III International Airport. This infrastructure is aimed at supporting the commercialisation of agriculture and enabling farmers to export fresh produce to regional and international markets. This investment will ensure the preservation of perishable goods, such as fresh vegetables, dairy products and meat, allowing farmers to access high-value markets in southern Africa and beyond. The king’s speech highlighted government’s long-term vision of transforming agriculture into a modern, commercial and climate-resilient sector.

Key pillars of this strategy include:

• Strengthening local food production to achieve self-sufficiency.

• Mitigating climate change effects through crop diversification and improved irrigation.

• Enhancing mechanisation with subsidised services to increase productivity.

• Developing agro-processing industries to maximise value addition.

• Expanding export opportunities through infrastructure investments at KMIII International Airport.

With food security at the heart of Eswatini’s economic agenda, government is laying the groundwork for a resilient and self-sufficient agricultural sector. The policies and investments announced in the 2025 Speech from the Throne signal a strong commitment to empowering farmers, agribusinesses and exporters. As Eswatini pushes towards food sovereignty, water security and agricultural commercialisation, these strategic initiatives will not only strengthen the economy, but also enhance livelihoods, create jobs and ensure long-term national stability. In a recent interview with Eswatini TV, the Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka echoed the king’s sentiments on the importance of food sovereignty. Tshawuka underscored the importance of increasing productivity rather than relying on imports. He said, therefore, as a ministry they will indeed heed the king’s directive and work hard to assist local farmers to increase their productivity. He said this assistance will include financial and technical assistance. 

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