BY AMANDA MABUZA
MBABANE– Senator Chief Magudvulela has challenged other senators into considering and accepting that some of emaSwati earn a living through dagga cultivation, this happened in parliament yesterday during a senate sitting where they were discussing about adopting the Seed Plants Varieties Regulations Act of 2023 in terms of section 253 of the Eswatini Act of 2005.
The motion related to cannabis legalization was also supported by other senators including Chief Ngalonkhulu Mabuza, Tony Tsabedze and Mkhululi Dlamini and they had the same similar sentiments.
The Ministry of Agriculture has regulations that give guidance and the green light to farmers who intend to start using genetically modified organism (GMOs) agricultural seedlings. The aim of officialising the use of GMOs by farmers, under supervision, however, is one of the government’s strategic points for ensuring food security in the country. Farmers that intend to introduce genetically modified products in Eswatini shall follow the process as provided in the Bill of Safety Act of 2012 and its successor.
Senator Sibandze then asked if it was possible that the regulations could also include cannabis seeds. Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza responded by saying “I understand the cannabis bill is not yet finalized as it is in and out of parliament, but I am wondering if the regulations weren’t supposed to also include dagga seedling so that by the time the Bill was passed, it would already be catered for in the regulations,” as quoted by Times of Eswatini.
“Whether it is cultivated legally or illegally but the bottom line is that it is cultivated,” said Senator Ngalokhulu. Senator Chief Mkhululi Dlamini also cited the benefits of the cannabis seedlings to the country’s economy. Minister Jabulani Mabuza told senators that word in the street was that Eswatini produced the best dagga. He said with such a reputation, there was clearly a market for local dagga seedlings in the world, which is why it would be unfair to impose export restrictions.
