Minister Tshawuka advocates for sustainable agriculture at FAO Africa conference
THE Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, alongside Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta and Principal Secretary Sydney Simelane, attended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 33rd Africa Conference and the Moroccan International Trade Fair.
The conference, which is a pivotal platform for discussions on pressing agricultural and environmental issues, saw Minister Tshawuka actively engaging on crucial topics such as the Blue Economy and the transformation of agrifood systems.
During the conference, Minister Mandla Tshawuka highlighted impactful contributions that expressed Eswatini’s commitment to addressing regional challenges and strengthening sustainable development. According to information shared by the Ministry, in a morning session focused on the Blue Economy, Tshawuka highlighted the unique predicament faced by landlocked countries, including Eswatini, which lack direct access to ocean resources.
He called upon coastal nations to facilitate the participation of landlocked countries in the Blue Economy, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to aquatic food systems for all nations.
Furthermore, Minister Tshawuka appealed to the FAO to support Eswatini in developing its Fisheries and Aquatic food system, recognizing the potential for growth and food security in this sector. He also urged coastal countries to combat unsustainable fishing practices, emphasizing the urgency of preserving marine resources for future generations.
In the afternoon session on the transformation of agrifood systems, Minister Tshawuka addressed the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on Eswatini’s agricultural sector. He highlighted the devastating effects of drought and hailstorms on crop production and emphasized the need for international assistance to mitigate climaterelated challenges.
Moreover, Minister Tshawuka emphasized the importance of enhancing Eswatini’s resilience to climate change through four key pillars. These pillars included the construction of dams to improve irrigation infrastructure, the implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices, the promotion of value addition in the agricultural sector, and the development of climate change resilience among vulnerable communities.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will brought together African Member Nations to deliberate on the future of Africa’s agrifood systems, at the 33rd Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Africa (ARC33), hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat.
Discusion were on the urgent need to transform agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable in order to meet the needs of a growing population, and participants discussed ways on addressing the challenges of the climate crisis and ending hunger and malnutrition.
The conference was one of the major regional forums on agriculture, food security and nutrition in Africa. It came as hunger continues to grow on the continent, driven largely by conflicts, economic downturns and the impacts of the climate crisis such as the El Nino-induced drought in southern Africa.
Various Agriculture ministers and other government officials from across Africa joined with civil society groups, private sector representatives, development partners and observer Member Nations for the conference.
Following the conference, Minister Tshawuka and the Eswatini delegation embarked on a series of visits to key agricultural and environmental sites in Morocco. They toured the largest animal feed manufacturing plant in Africa, Alf Sahel, and visited the largest water project in Morocco.