BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade and the Food and Agricultural Organization are currently holding a capacity-building workshop on trade and nutrition.
The two-day workshop is aimed at capacitating participants on the mainstreaming of trade in nutrition policies.
The workshop is part of the implementation of the African Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, which aims at ensuring that agricultural products meet the required standards to access the continental market.
Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule said like any other products, agricultural products are also faced with an array of trade barriers including non-tariff barriers which his ministry is working around the clock to ensure they are kept at a minimum while trying to find lasting solutions for their total elimination.
“Other agricultural products challenges include issues of supply and demand, informal cross-border trade, farmers or producers’ participation in the value chains, climate change, rules of origin, trade remedies, international property rights, internet connectivity and dispute settlements,” he said.
In addition, he said the continued importation of agricultural products outside Africa also poses a challenge to local producers who are already active in the production and manufacturing of food in the country.
Nkambule said they need to level the playing field for the production and manufacturing sectors to ensure fair competition from all the players.
Meanwhile, Assistant Rep Khanyisile Mabuza said trade makes a significant contribution to food security and nutrition in Africa by enhancing the availability, access, utilisation and stability of agrifood supplies and can improve nutrition by increasing dietary diversity.
“However, trade openness often increases the availability of unhealthy foods which leads to obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases,” she said.
Photo Cred: Eswatini Government
