Eswatini's Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka has called for the repositioning of agriculture as a viable business through technology to combat rising youth unemployment. Speaking at the African Union Seed Summit in Ezulwini, Tshawuka stated that modernizing the country's agricultural landscape is critical to creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people. He emphasized that the government recognizes the value of agriculture in combating unemployment through primary production and downstream industries.
Tshawuka highlighted that structural funding support is vital for enabling smallholder farmers and young agri-preneurs to scale up their operations successfully. The government is providing targeted and blended funding through the Eswatini Agricultural Development Fund. This initiative aims to support smallholder farmers and young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, enabling them to access finance and expand their businesses.
The Minister's comments come as the country seeks to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment. By positioning the agricultural sector as a viable business and investment opportunity, the government hopes to attract young people into the industry. Tshawuka explained that government interventions extend across the entire value chain, including infrastructure development to move local produce directly from farms to high-value markets.
One such intervention is the establishment of dedicated cold storage facilities at the King Mswati III International Airport to support agricultural exports. This infrastructure will enable farmers to store and transport their produce more efficiently, increasing their access to international markets. Tshawuka also called on African states to eliminate cross-border trade restrictions and harmonize seed regulations to achieve long-term food self-reliance.
Tshawuka emphasized that Africa must move from dependence to greater seed sovereignty, as seeds do not recognize national borders. He urged all stakeholders to ensure that high-level summit deliberations lead to practical outcomes for local producers, including better seed, better yields, better incomes, and greater food security. The Minister's comments were echoed by African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment Moses Vilakati.
Vilakati stated that raising Africa's agricultural output by 45 per cent by 2035 is key to sustainably feeding the continent and uplifting millions of farmers. He highlighted that member states committed to this benchmark under the CAADP Kampala Declaration 2026–2035, which aims to accelerate agricultural transformation, increase productivity, expand agribusiness opportunities, and eliminate hunger and malnutrition.
Vilakati emphasized that every aspect of agricultural progress begins with quality seed inputs, and that food security is unattainable without guaranteed seed security. He urged member states to establish an African Continental Seed Bank backed by regional and national networks to preserve genetic diversity, protect indigenous and improved crop varieties, and support ongoing research to secure Africa's long-term agricultural resilience.
Key points
- Eswatini's Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka emphasizes the importance of agro-technology and innovation in creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people.
- The African Union has set a target of increasing agricultural output by 45 per cent by 2035 to sustainably feed the continent and uplift millions of farmers.
- An African Continental Seed Bank is proposed to preserve genetic diversity, protect crop varieties, and support research to secure Africa's long-term agricultural resilience.
