BY ANDREW DLAMINI
MBABANE – Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Sydney Simelane, has announced significant efforts to boost traditional vegetable production during the launch of a training program on traditional vegetable seed production at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane.
Simelane highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to addressing food security challenges by improving the production of traditional vegetables. Emphasizing the importance of policies supporting seed exchange.
He said, “The seed is one of the most crucial elements of the livelihoods of agricultural communities. It is knowledge passed from generations to generations and the result of continual and adaptation and survival in the environments. the potential benefits of using quality seed by farmers cannot be overlooked. we all know that politicized increases productivity reduces the risk from pest’s drought and disease pressure and increased profits”.
The initiative aligns with the Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative (Tavi), a collaborative effort between the Kingdom of Eswatini and Taiwan, which was launched in 2021. Tavi aims to bolster food security by increasing the production and consumption of traditional vegetables.
Sofia Jeng, the representative from Taiwan, asserts that traditional vegetables hold significant potential as a valuable commercial commodity.
She said, “We know that farmers nowadays they have difficulty to assessing quality seeds of these vegetables which hinder their use to improve people’s diet and help farmers to generate income. so, we are very grateful that this workshop invites the key players of seed production in this region”.
