Mbabane- Traditional African vegetables could offer farmers a bigger source of income if they can move beyond household consumption and secure a place in formal commercial markets, government has said.
The Ministry of Agriculture has called for stronger market systems linking smallholder farmers to commercial buyers, identifying reliable supply, consistent quality and fair pricing as critical to building viable value chains for indigenous crops.
The call was made in remarks delivered by Ministry of Agriculture Principal Secretary Sydney Simelane on behalf of Minister Mandla Tshawuka during the official opening of the Second African Vegetable Forum at Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane on Wednesday.
The three-day gathering brings together agricultural researchers, policymakers, development partners and agribusiness stakeholders to explore ways of expanding the use and economic value of traditional African vegetables.
Government’s position is that conserving indigenous crops will have limited economic impact unless farmers can also benefit from growing and selling them.
In the Minister’s prepared remarks, Simelane said the country needed to establish sustainable seed systems, encourage culinary innovation and connect smallholder farmers directly to formal commercial markets.
“Our duty is to turn biodiversity into economic opportunity by establishing sustainable seed systems, encouraging culinary innovation, and connecting smallholders directly to formal commercial markets,” read part of the remarks.
For farmers, the challenge is not only producing traditional vegetables such as amaranth, nightshade and pumpkin leaves, but ensuring that production is supported by buyers and supply arrangements capable of sustaining their businesses.
The Minister said farmers must remain at the centre of agricultural development, with functional markets and dependable supply chains playing an important role in creating sustainable livelihoods.
This would require cooperation between government, researchers and private-sector players to develop markets for indigenous vegetables while ensuring that farmers can supply products that meet buyers’ requirements.
The commercialisation drive also places emphasis on strengthening the systems that support production, including access to suitable seeds and scientific research that can help farmers improve productivity and adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Government acknowledged the contribution of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the World Vegetable Center through Phase II of the Taiwan–Africa Vegetable Initiative (TAVI), which supports efforts to advance traditional vegetable production and utilisation.
The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme were also recognized for their contribution to regional food security initiatives.
The forum’s programme includes discussions on the commercialisation of traditional vegetables, conservation of indigenous crops and the development of value chains, drawing on experiences from Eswatini, Kenya and Tanzania.
Eswatini is expected to showcase its progress in retail and culinary commercialisation, while Kenya’s experience in school gardens and community nutrition and Tanzania’s work in sweet potato promotion and crop conservation are expected to provide lessons for regional cooperation.
The discussions are also expected to contribute to the proposed Eswatini Declaration on the Utilization, Conservation and Value-Chain Development of Traditional African Vegetables.
The declaration is expected to outline a shared roadmap and investment priorities through 2035, providing direction for future collaboration in the sector.
For the commercialisation drive to benefit farmers, however, the development of markets will be central to ensuring that increased production translates into sales and sustainable income rather than leaving growers with produce they cannot sell.
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