MBABANE – EWADE have partnered with AeTrade Group in an initiative aimed at connecting local farmers to wider markets and strengthening the commercialisation of smallholder agriculture.
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday afternoon at Mountain View Hotel, establishing a framework for collaboration in digital trade, enterprise development, market access and investment mobilisation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Samson Sithole said the partnership would help address one of the persistent challenges confronting smallholder farmers, where increased agricultural production did not necessarily translate into improved incomes.
He said while farmers might have the capacity to produce, many continued to face challenges relating to reliable market linkages, market intelligence, product aggregation and access to wider commercial opportunities.
Sithole said EWADE’s mandate extended beyond developing irrigation infrastructure and increasing agricultural production, as the ultimate objective was to transform smallholder farmers into commercially viable agricultural enterprises capable of competing in markets and generating sustainable incomes.
He said the partnership would leverage AeTrade Group’s integrated digital ecosystem, which includes Sokokuu, AeTrust and AeLearning, to improve the visibility and marketability of agricultural products, connect farmer companies and cooperatives with potential buyers and strengthen their business readiness.
The collaboration is also expected to facilitate product verification, digital cataloguing, access to digital commerce, transaction records, business-to-business engagements and investment opportunities.
“For our farmers, the ultimate objective is to move beyond being producers to becoming organised, market-responsive agricultural businesses,” Sithole said.
He said farmers needed to understand market requirements, adhere to quality standards, plan production around demand and engage confidently with buyers.
Sithole, however, cautioned that market access did not automatically guarantee sales, but said the appropriate platforms, networks, information and technical support could significantly improve farmers’ prospects of commercial success.
He said EWADE would identify priority projects, farmer companies, cooperatives and value chains that could benefit from the agreement. The entity would also mobilise participating farmers, facilitate access to beneficiaries and integrate activities into its existing programmes.
Furthermore, EWADE would support farmers in strengthening business management practices, production planning, quality standards and overall market preparedness.
