Africa-Press – Eswatini. In its Broad consultations with strategically placed entities aimed at bolstering trade within various sectors, Business Eswatini (BE), led by the CEO Nathi Dlamini, focused their attention on agriculture.
BE paid a courtesy visit to National Agricultural Marketing Board (Namboard), a State-owned entity that was established for agricultural development. Representing NAMBoard was the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bhekizwe Maziya, who unpacked some of the initiatives and achievements of the organisation. The consultation session delved into various strategic issues at the core, of which is the advancement of Eswatini’s agricultural sector, highlighting critical areas of interventions made by NAMBoard and exploring potential avenues for improvement. One of the primary topics addressed during the consultation was NAMBoard’s decision to cease direct competition with importers of fresh produce.
Strategic
This strategic move emerged in response to concerns raised by stakeholders, regarding the impact of importation of produce by NAMBoard, a well-intended exercise, which had unforeseen adverse effects on the fresh produce sector. Having been engaged by the players of the sector, and after careful assessments, NAMBoard discontinued importation of fresh produce to retain and promote the vibrancy of the importers. Business Eswatini commended NAMBoard for being decisive on the issue and not only that, but also for making a sound decision geared towards stimulating trade for local businesses. This decision is consistent with the apex federation of employers, BE concluded.
Another pivotal aspect of the consultation revolved around the aggregator function championed by NAMBoard a transformative mechanism designed to empower smaller farmers and facilitate their access to broader markets. The aggregator function serves as a catalyst for streamlining the distribution process, enabling small-scale producers to pool their resources and leverage collective bargaining power to negotiate favorable terms with buyers and distributors. By aggregating the produce of smaller farmers, Namboard facilitates economies of scale, reduces transaction costs, and enhances the overall efficiency of the agricultural supply chain.
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