BY FIONA MOTSA
MBABANE– The Ministry of Agriculture is moving with the times.
As food prices continue to skyrocket, the Ministry of Agriculture has birthed the launch of a new initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture which aims to ensure food security for emaSwati.
Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza said the ‘Backyard Garden Initiative’ would help emaSwati save and invest in other necessities.
“The time has come for everyone to start growing their own food instead of always buying. Food is becoming more expensive each year and we must all work hard to be food secure regardless of wealth or status.
“Growing your own food will also ensure that little money you have lasts longer and covers necessities other than food,” said the Minister.
The initiative aims to encourage all homesteads to have a vegetable garden, fruit trees and small livestock for good nutrition and food security said the Minister.
Several reasons have resulted in the increase of food prices.
According to nerd wallet, some of these reasons include a combination of inflation, pandemic-related supply-chain disruptions and tariffs on certain foreign imports.
It is worth noting that the Ministry also launched two Technical Cooperation Programmes (TCPs) for implementation.
These are the National Agricultural Investment Plan. The plans will help revamp the Agriculture sector to become the bedrock of the Eswatini Economy, generating smallholder farmer inclusiveness, jobs, reduced imports, increased exports, overall trade balance improvements as well as food and nutrition security.
Back yard garden can really be a corner stone in ensuring food security in our country but we must also make sure we implement such programmes in a sustainable approach… Use less synthetic chemicals and fertilisers, Climate-smart practices must be applied…. Healthy foods will in turn ensure healthy nation
Back yard can really be a corner stone in ensuring food security in our country but we must also make sure we implement such programmes in a sustainable approach… Use less synthetic chemicals and fertilisers, Climate practices must be applied…. Healthy foods will in turn ensure healthy nation