Mbabane- The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) says the Smallholder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP) is already transforming smallholder farming across the country. The initiative targets more than 19 600 households, benefiting nearly 117 700 people nationwide.
Speaking during the signing of strategic Memorandums of Understanding with key institutions, EWADE Chief Executive Officer Dr Samson Sithole said the project, supported by the Government of Eswatini, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Green Climate Fund, is moving beyond traditional interventions to build resilient, market-oriented farming systems.
“As the implementing agency, EWADE is focusing on practical solutions that respond directly to the needs of smallholder farmers,” Dr Sithole said. He added, “Through SAPEMP, we are organising farmers into clusters, rehabilitating and constructing multi-purpose collection centres, integrating farmers into digital platforms such as the Agricultural Integrated Information System, and facilitating contracts that guarantee access to structured markets.”
Dr Sithole said newly signed partnerships with the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the Eswatini Environment Authority, and the National Maize Corporation are essential to addressing challenges that no single institution can solve alone.
He noted that MTAD’s facilitation of Tinkhundla-level profiling and community access has strengthened inclusive planning and ensured interventions are grounded in local realities. MTEA, through the Department of Meteorology, is working with the project to improve climate, weather, and early warning systems, helping farmers manage climate risks.
Collaboration with EEA and the Eswatini Environment Fund is laying the groundwork for a Green Challenge Fund to support green innovations and enterprises led by women and youth. Meanwhile, NMC’s involvement is enhancing market linkages and value-chain development in maize and legumes, connecting farmers to reliable markets.
“The future of agriculture lies in shared resources, coordinated action and collective accountability,” Dr Sithole said. “By joining forces with these institutions, we are creating a holistic ecosystem that supports farmers from production to market.”
He urged all partners to ensure that the signed MoUs deliver tangible results for farmers, saying, “Let today be remembered not just for the signing of documents, but for the beginning of transformative action. Our success will be measured at farmer level, where impact matters most.”
Discussion about this post