BY SIBUSISO MNGADI
As Eswatini enters 2026—declared the Year of Agape Love—His Majesty King Mswati III used the Speech from the Throne to call for a renewed national commitment to service, unity and practical solutions that put national interest ahead of self-interest.
For farmers and agribusiness, His Majesty highlighted the need to move faster to secure food self-sufficiency, strengthen reliable markets, and build resilience against climate shocks that are already destroying crops and disrupting rural livelihoods.
His Majesty acknowledged that agriculture has made “great strides” over the past four decades, but stressed that the country should ideally have achieved food self-sufficiency by now—a reminder that production gains have not yet translated into consistent national food security.
Recent heavy rains were highlighted as a harsh example of the sector’s vulnerability, with crops damaged by adverse weather. Government, the King said, will continue supporting affected communities while expanding climate resilience and preparedness programmes to protect those most exposed to droughts, floods and other climate-related risks.
But beyond recovery support, His Majesty challenged the country to focus on the missing link that keeps agriculture from reaching its full potential: markets that generate tangible turnover for the economy.
Subsidies will continue — but markets will determine the outcome
Government says it will continue subsidising subsistence farmers “to enhance food security.” For agribusiness stakeholders, that points to a two-track priority for 2026: keep household production support steady, while fast-tracking investment in value chains—aggregation, storage, processing and reliable offtake—so farm output translates into stable incomes and broader economic growth.
FMD: “We have conquered it before”—now the call is for lasting solutions
On livestock, His Majesty addressed the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) setback directly, noting that the disease is not new to Eswatini and has been defeated before, but its return shows the country “failed to apply the lessons of the past.” The priority now, the King said, is to build a lasting solution that prevents recurrence.
He further acknowledged that containment measures were not strong enough, as the outbreak spilled beyond affected areas. The response going forward must include stronger education and awareness, and government is urged to explore additional sources for vaccines to hasten the vaccination effort.
For the beef and dairy value chain—farmers, feed suppliers, auctions, abattoirs, transporters and exporters—this emphasis matters because disease control is not only a veterinary issue; it is a market access and income protection strategy.
Water security: 75% access achieved, 2030 target set
Water was framed as foundational to national prosperity, with the Speech noting progress toward SDG 6: 75% of the population has access to clean water, and the country must maintain momentum until clean water reaches all by 2030.
For agriculture, the implication is direct: irrigation reliability, livestock watering points, and climate adaptation will increasingly depend on how fast water infrastructure and management systems expand—especially as weather extremes intensify.
Digital transition: why “analogue to digital” matters for agriculture
His Majesty’s call for Eswatini to move “completely from analogue to digital” signals a national push for affordable, reliable connectivity and infrastructure that speeds up digital and satellite technology adoption. For agribusiness, the payoff is practical: stronger market information and price transparency, better traceability and compliance for premium markets, more accessible digital extension and farmer training, and smarter logistics that move produce efficiently from farmgate to retailer.
The bigger economic picture: investment, jobs and local reinvestment
The Speech urged the nation to diversify and grow productive industries, including a bold target of at least ten companies with minimum E10 billion annual turnover across different sectors to boost the economy.
Major projects—such as dam construction and industrial development—were presented as part of a wider job-creation and revenue strategy.
For agriculture, infrastructure-led growth can be a catalyst if it translates into lower transaction costs, better roads for produce movement, and investment corridors that attract agro-processing.
Photos sourced from Eswatini Government Press Office.
