The High-Level segment of the UNCT Retreat, held at the UN House in Mbabane on 28 August 2024, brought together key stakeholders to discuss sustainable development strategies for Eswatini. One of the standout voices at the retreat was Howard Mbuyisa, Director of the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund, who provided a compelling vision for the future of agriculture in Eswatini. Mbuyisa’s insights centred on how strategic investments and innovative approaches can transform agriculture into a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth and sustainability efforts.

Mbuyisa emphasized that the agriculture sector holds immense potential for driving economic growth and achieving food security in Eswatini. However, he pointed out that this potential remains largely untapped due to inadequate infrastructure and limited financing. “We must adopt a systematic approach to develop agricultural industry associations that bring together stakeholders across the value chain—from researchers to input suppliers, producers, and processors,” Mbuyisa noted during the panel discussion.

He called for targeted investments in critical areas such as irrigation, mechanization, and the digitalization of agriculture to improve productivity and build resilience against climate-related challenges. Mbuyisa stressed that aligning efforts across these areas would be crucial in creating a more robust agricultural sector capable of weathering both local and global economic shifts.

Leveraging the Agriculture Development Fund

Mbuyisa highlighted the Agriculture Development Fund as a key instrument for channeling much-needed investments into the agricultural sector. The fund, established in 2021, aims to attract donor and private sector financing to support priority areas that can accelerate Eswatini’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The Agriculture Development Fund is a means to leverage significant financial resources, including donor funding and private sector investments, to drive the modernization of agriculture in Eswatini,” he explained.

He also emphasized the importance of upscaling successful interventions into formal policies and legislation to create a stable environment for investment. “To sustain and scale these interventions, we need policies that provide a predictable environment for investors and stakeholders,” Mbuyisa stated.

Modernizing Agriculture Through Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) emerged as a critical element of Mbuyisa’s strategy for modernizing Eswatini’s agricultural sector. He advocated for greater collaboration between the government, private sector, and development partners to develop resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding economic shocks and stresses. “By investing in irrigation, mechanization, and climate-smart technologies, we can increase productivity and resilience,” Mbuyisa emphasized. “But this requires coordinated efforts and significant investment from both the public and private sectors.”

Mbuyisa suggested creating specialized agriculture industry associations that would focus on key commodities, such as maize, to ensure food self-sufficiency and meet national consumption needs. “We want all stakeholders who are playing in the maize commodity value chain—from researchers to processors—to align with a single master plan,” he said. This integrated approach would enable better negotiations with the government on areas needing public investment that could amplify private investments.

Addressing Market Access and Quality Standards

During the discussion, Mbuyisa also addressed the barriers faced by smallholder farmers in accessing mainstream markets. He warned of the risks posed by not supporting these farmers to meet global quality standards. “By March 2024, if nothing is done to invest in and improve these farms, the food produced may not meet the quality standards required for market access,” he cautioned.

He proposed targeted support measures for smallholder farmers, such as access to affordable credit, training in sustainable farming practices, and infrastructure investments like cold storage facilities. “We need to provide the necessary resources to ensure smallholder farmers can meet quality standards and access larger markets. This is critical for their survival and for achieving national food security,” Mbuyisa asserted.

Digitalization and Innovation: The Future of Agriculture

Looking ahead, Mbuyisa emphasized the importance of digitalization in transforming Eswatini’s agricultural sector. He advocated for investing in early warning systems and digital platforms that provide real-time data on market trends, weather patterns, and farming techniques. “Digitalization will help minimize failures in agriculture by improving access to information and enhancing decision-making across the value chain,” he said.

Mbuyisa also highlighted the need for data-driven approaches to strengthen agricultural planning and policy-making. “We need to embrace innovation, from smart farming technologies to digital financial services, to transform our agricultural sector and make it more competitive,” he added.