Eswatini Receives E5 Million in El Nino Assistance from FAO

The government of Eswatini has received E5 million from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help mitigate the effects of the El Nino drought. The funds will be used to provide water for livestock, purchase cattle feed, and buy drought-resistant seeds for the next ploughing season. This assistance comes as the country faces threats to crops, livestock, and water supplies due to changing weather conditions. Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka confirmed the receipt of the funds.

The El Nino drought has brought significant challenges to Eswatini, with scarce rainfall and hailstorms threatening crops and livestock feed supplies. The FAO had pledged the funds to help the country respond to these weather shocks. Minister Tshawuka secured the E5 million commitment during an engagement with the FAO director-general following the Hand-in-Hand (HiH) Initiative forum in Rome, Italy, over a month ago. This support is crucial as the government increases its efforts to protect farmers from the expected drought.

Part of the funds will be used to fill up water tankers, which will supply water to areas where livestock farmers may struggle to access it. Additionally, the purchase of drought-resistant seeds is expected to support farmers during the next planting season. These seeds are intended to help farmers produce crops under conditions of limited rainfall. This intervention aims to provide relief to farmers who depend on livestock for their livelihoods.

The government has already taken steps to support farmers, including ordering 4 000 bales of hay from South Africa to help farmers feed their animals. The hay will be made available to farmers at a very low cost. Minister Tshawuka encouraged farmers to organise themselves into groups to make it easier for them to access the feed. This support comes as farmers face financial difficulties due to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.

The FMD outbreak disrupted livestock sales and affected farmers’ income, exacerbating concerns about the drought. To further support farmers, the government has introduced a programme to produce and sell hay bales at a subsidised price of E500 each. The hay is produced using government machinery and grass harvested from State-owned facilities. This programme aims to increase the supply of affordable animal feed before grazing conditions become worse.

The government’s efforts to support farmers are crucial, as the drought threatens to worsen the already challenging conditions for livestock farmers. The financial difficulties experienced during the FMD outbreak have made it difficult for farmers to maintain their herds. The assistance from the FAO and the government’s initiatives aim to provide relief to farmers and help them cope with the drought.

The E5 million assistance from the FAO is a significant support to Eswatini’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the El Nino drought. The government’s proactive measures, including the purchase of hay and provision of drought-resistant seeds, demonstrate its commitment to protecting farmers and supporting the country’s agricultural sector.

Key points

• Eswatini receives E5 million from FAO to aid in El Nino drought response
• Government to use funds for livestock water, cattle feed, and drought-resistant seeds
• Assistance aims to support farmers affected by drought and foot-and-mouth disease outbreak