Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini’s agriculture sector marked a historic milestone on September 16, 2025, as the Eswatini Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (EWADE) and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), under the Ministry of Agriculture and in partnership with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to roll out the E851 million Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement & Marketing Project (SAPEMP).
Backed by Government, IFAD, and the Green Climate Fund, the project is set to empower over 19 600 smallholder households, directly benefiting nearly 117,700 people nationwide.
SAPEMP’s Key Goals
Strengthen agricultural value chains and boost food security
Create jobs for women and youth in agribusiness
Support vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and child-headed households
Advance Vision 2050 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Ministry of Agriculture Commitment
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at Mountain View, Mbabane, Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Nhlanhla Motsa, described the agreement as “not just a formal agreement, but a shared commitment to transform the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reduce rural poverty sustainably.”
He emphasized the Ministry’s objectives of increasing local production to achieve self-sufficiency, improving agricultural value chains, and stimulating downstream industries to drive national development.
NAMBoard Commitment
NAMBoard hailed the partnership as another landmark collaboration with EWADE, recalling the success of past initiatives such as the Smallholder Market-Led Project and the Climate Smart Agriculture Project.
“We believe that once again SAPEMP will be a success, as we have not failed before,” NAMBoard management stated, committing to ensure that horticultural produce from the project reaches both local and export markets.
EWADE’s Role
On behalf of EWADE, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Samson Sithole welcomed the MoU, stressing that SAPEMP would be a catalyst for a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector.
“This project is a direct response to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, especially climate change and limited market access,” said Dr. Sithole. “Our role as EWADE will be to ensure that infrastructure, irrigation schemes, and water resources are developed and managed efficiently to support production year-round.”
He assured farmers that the partnership will not only enhance productivity but also improve incomes, adding: “Eswatini cannot achieve food security and sustainable development without empowering its smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of our agriculture.”
Inclusive Growth & Climate Resilience
SAPEMP will work closely with key government departments, including Agriculture & Extension, Home Economics, Rural Sociology, Early Warning, Land Use Planning, Marketing Advisory, and Agricultural Research, to provide technical support, market access, and climate adaptation strategies.
The project is also expected to close Eswatini’s market supply gap, as NAMBoard currently meets less than 40% of local and export market demand.
A Transformative Partnership
This MoU signals a deliberate shift toward inclusive development, ensuring marginalized communities are active participants in Eswatini’s national transformation agenda.
“This is more than a partnership, it is a life-changing movement toward sustainable development and inclusive growth,” stakeholders emphasized.
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