The Kingdom of Eswatini continues its commitment to improving food security and fostering sustainable economic development with the recent completion of the Water Harvesting, Small, and Medium Dams Project (WHDP) Works Implementation Programme. This significant initiative, formally handed over at Buseleni, Nkwene Inkhundla, represents a major investment in the country’s agricultural infrastructure.
The project, valued at hundreds of millions, has been recognized as a critical advancement in developing 527.2 hectares of farmland across the Hhohho, Manzini, and Shiselweni regions. Executed by Inyatsi Construction, the program is expected to benefit farmers involved in 16 different schemes, enhancing their productivity and boosting household incomes.
In addition to its agricultural benefits, the project aims to strengthen Eswatini’s economy by reducing dependency on rain-fed farming. Given the challenges posed by climate change, this initiative is designed to bolster the resilience and productivity of the country’s agricultural sector.
During the handover ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka expressed profound gratitude to the European Union (EU) for its timely support. He emphasized the initiative’s importance in the face of climate change, underscoring that reliance on rainfall alone is increasingly untenable. The EU’s assistance has been instrumental in expanding the number of dams, particularly in arid areas, allowing farmers to sustain and grow their agricultural activities.
Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, representing the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, also commended the EU’s contribution. He highlighted the crucial role of agriculture in Eswatini’s economy, noting its impact on economic growth, employment (especially among the youth), export earnings, food security, and poverty reduction. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to prioritizing and investing in agriculture to enhance its growth and resilience.
EU Head of Cooperation Eva-Maria Engdahli praised the Ministry of Agriculture for its effective coordination and support throughout the project. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture for their coordination, management, and unwavering support from the project’s design stage,” she said.
Engdahli emphasized that the Ministry’s role does not end with the handover of the schemes. “This marks the beginning of a new era, where the relationship between the ministry and the benefiting farmers should evolve into one of ensuring that these schemes are transformed into vibrant production zones for essential agricultural produce,” she added.
