The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the key priorities outlined in His Majesty King Mswati III’s Speech during the opening of Parliament. Dr. Samson Sithole, EWADE’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed the organization’s dedication to supporting the nation’s developmental agenda by aligning its strategic initiatives with the action points highlighted by His Majesty.
Supporting Food Security
A central theme of His Majesty’s address was the urgent need to bolster food security and reduce Eswatini’s reliance on imported food products. Dr. Sithole emphasized that EWADE’s initiatives are directly aligned with this vision, particularly through the organization’s flagship agricultural programs. One of the most notable projects, the Commercial Maize Project – Hamba Ubuye, has made significant strides in addressing food security. For the 2025/26 farming season, the project aims to expand its maize cultivation to 10,000 hectares, with the target of producing 30,000 metric tonnes of maize. Furthermore, EWADE is also introducing bean production to enhance nutritional security and food sovereignty across the country.
In addition to the successful Hamba Ubuye project, Dr. Sithole highlighted how EWADE is further enhancing Eswatini’s food sovereignty by actively encouraging farmers within the LUSIP II initiative to diversify their crops with maize and beans. Since 2023, LUSIP II Farmer Companies have cultivated a total of 138 hectares of maize and beans, with 72.3 hectares dedicated to maize and 65 hectares to beans. This collective effort has already yielded an impressive 195.92 tons of maize and 43 tons of beans, underscoring the significant contribution of these farmers to the country’s food security and self-sufficiency. By supporting the growth of these staple crops, Dr. Sithole noted, EWADE is not only boosting local production but also fostering greater resilience in Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
“EWADE acknowledges His Majesty’s call for self-sufficiency in food production,” said Dr. Sithole. “We are unwavering in our commitment to providing farmers with the modern irrigation infrastructure and technical support required to boost food production in Eswatini.”
Dr. Sithole further pointed out that EWADE’s efforts are driving agricultural transformation through innovative irrigation systems and agro-value chain development. Noteworthy among these are the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP) and the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Project (MNWAP). These initiatives ensure a sustainable water supply for smallholder farmers, increasing the country’s food security while supporting broader socio-economic development.
Additionally, Dr. Sithole reiterated EWADE’s full commitment to His Majesty’s vision of agro-processing and value addition in agriculture. The establishment of an Agro-Processing Zone, which will be integrated into the MNWAP, will allow for large-scale agricultural production, processing, and export. This zone will streamline the value chain from farm to market, ensuring that agricultural products are processed, stored, and exported efficiently, maximizing the benefits for Eswatini’s farmers and agribusinesses.
Youth Empowerment, Job Creation
Another key point in His Majesty’s address was the urgent need to address youth unemployment, a critical issue facing Eswatini. In response, Dr. Sithole emphasized that EWADE has expanded its agricultural entrepreneurship programs, including the upcoming Youth Empowerment Project. Set to launch in April 2025, this initiative, with a total investment of E1.073 billion (US$56.45 million), will provide hands-on training to 15,000 youth annually in commercial integrated agriculture, with a strong focus on out-of-school youth and unemployed graduates, aged 18 – 35. The initiative is expected to create 10,000 jobs each year, providing the young people of Eswatini with the skills and resources necessary to succeed in agriculture, thereby addressing youth unemployment and stimulating economic growth.
This project is part of a broader EWADE strategy to foster job creation and community empowerment. Five training centers—Gesawu, Lowveld Farmers Training Centre, Nhlangano, Malkerns, and Mpisi—will provide hands-on learning, fostering innovation and self-employment.
Dr. Sithole also highlighted another project which will significantly contribute to youth employment and job creation in general—the Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP). Also launching in April 2025, SAPEMP is a transformative initiative with a budget of E851 million (US$45.5 million) that will empower smallholder farmers with tools, resources, and market access to succeed in a competitive and climate-resilient environment.
SAPEMP aims to benefit over 17,000 smallholder farmers across Eswatini’s four regions, with a focus on vulnerable communities in the southeast. It incorporates lessons from previous programs such as the Smallholder Market-led Project (SMLP) and FINCLUDE, targeting new areas previously underserved by agricultural interventions. Approximately 2,300 jobs will be created under SAPEMP, with 50 per cent of these roles designated for males, 40 per cent for females, and 10 per cent for youth. These opportunities will bolster rural employment and economic resilience.
In total, Dr. Sithole projected that EWADE is expected to create an additional 13,827 jobs by the 2025/26 financial year. Other key job-generating programs include those linked to the MNWAP, which will create 146 jobs in the continued construction of the Mpakeni Dam, and 500 jobs associated with the E2 billion Main Conveyance System, as well as 881 new jobs through expanded irrigation infrastructure and production capacity under LUSIP II.
“These efforts are in direct response to His Majesty’s call for job creation, particularly among the youth,” Dr. Sithole affirmed. “EWADE remains fully committed to creating economic opportunities that benefit all Eswatini citizens.”
Infrastructure Development and Water Security
EWADE has also prioritized critical infrastructure projects, responding directly to His Majesty’s call for improved rural infrastructure and water security. Dr. Sithole highlighted that the construction and maintenance of irrigation dams, canals, and water supply systems are pivotal to supporting Eswatini’s agricultural sector. These projects are vital for ensuring that rural communities have access to reliable water sources for both agricultural and domestic use.
“EWADE is committed to expanding water storage facilities and enhancing water management technologies to support Eswatini’s growing agricultural sector,” Dr. Sithole affirmed. “Our infrastructure development projects are not only aimed at improving agricultural productivity but also at promoting sustainability and resilience in rural communities.”
One of the flagship projects driving this agenda is the construction of the Mpakeni Dam, a transformative infrastructure investment worth E2.6 billion, which will significantly increase irrigation opportunities for farmers across the country. The Main Conveyance System, worth E1.04 billion, will play a crucial role in delivering water from Mpakeni to farming fields, further enabling agricultural productivity and economic growth.
As Eswatini’s agricultural transformation accelerates, Dr. Sithole affirmed that EWADE remains steadfast in its mission to support His Majesty’s vision for a prosperous, self-sufficient nation. Through its innovative agricultural, water management, and infrastructure initiatives, EWADE is committed to empowering farmers, creating jobs, fostering youth entrepreneurship, and driving national development.
“EWADE is fully aligned with His Majesty’s vision, and we pledge our continued support in building a stronger, food-secure, and economically resilient Eswatini,” concluded Dr. Sithole.
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