Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE) has through the Smallholder Market-Led Project (SMLP) donated equipment worth E1 633 090 to government.
The equipment included 15 motorcycles and 19 computers.
SMLP is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and also co-funded by government.
The official handover ceremony was held at the ministry of agriculture’s conference room yesterday.
The Minister of Agriculture, Jabulani Mabuza, said as a ministry they were happy that ESWADE through the SMLP was continuing to honour its obligations as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the ministry and ESWADE – SMLP which speaks to the provision of material and equipment to support the functionality of the ministry’s offices and farmer extension services in the project area.
Mabuza said the donated desktop computers, software and printers would be distributed to RDAs under the Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni Regions.
“In the Manzini region Ngwempisi and Luve will benefit, in the Lubombo Region Siphofaneni and Sithobela will benefit and under Shiselweni Region Mahlalini, Hluthi, Southern RDA and Sandleni at Lucolweni will benefit,” he said.
The minister stated that the RDAs would be receiving motorcycles together with substations under Veterinary Services.
“These substations include Lubuli, Siphofaneni, Sithobela, Mc-Tyre, Hlatsi, Mbulungwane and Ngculwini,” said Mabuza.
He further mentioned that the equipment came with office refurbishment of the Siphofaneni RDA.
“Just to draw the attention and for the benefit of everyone present here today and the entire nation at large, we are elated of His Majesty’s government’s idea of establishing ESWADE and have it stationed under my ministry.
“The government of Eswatini established ESWADE to reduce poverty and widening income inequalities in the kingdom,” he said.
Mabuza mentioned that government through the ministry of agriculture and by extension ESWADE had been able to increase the total land area under cultivation, which in turn had contributed to growth in agricultural production.
“Given that the ministry’s interventions implemented through ESWADE projects have made a positive contribution to the economy, it would be a big mistake not to recognise the role played by ESWADE in the country’s economy,” he said. He extended appreciation to the SMLP’s main funder, IFAD, for the continued support extended to the country.
“We really appreciate the fact that this project has been awarded an extension. I am also aware that IFAD is also designing a new project to build up on the interventions of the SMLP. I am confident that ESWADE is also ready to provide oversight on the operations and management of the upcoming project, SMLP,” he said.
He added that he hoped the benefitting departments within the ministry would be committed to ensure that the items were well managed as these were powerful and much needed tools to get their job well done no matter where they worked.
“So, I implore you that whether you are at the office or in the field, ensure best upkeep of the assets,’ he said. ESWADE Chief Executive Officer Samson Sithole said when they visited RDAs and assessed them, they noticed that the of Veterinary and Livestock Services (DVLS) departments were decentralised as other important documents were done even in rural areas.
“However, what was limiting their service delivery was the lack of computers to access the system, hence we saw it fit to support them with these computers,” he said.
He mentioned that they noticed that they were lacking on transport when visiting the different communities.
“We noticed that they were using public vehicles and their personal cars to do the job as hence we donated the motorcycles,” he said.
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