Eswatini agriculture shifts toward high-value crops and climate-smart practices

Eswatini’s agricultural sector is being urged to transition from traditional subsistence farming toward high-value commercial enterprise and climate-smart practices to enhance trade opportunities. During the Eswatini International Trade Fair Agriculture Business Seminar, Principal Secretary Sydney Simelane emphasized the importance of moving up the value chain through agroprocessing and exploring niche cash crops such as coffee, ginger, bamboo, and turmeric.

Simelane also highlighted the potential of the green bio-economy, including renewable energy and composting, to build resilient businesses. To support this transition, experts stress the necessity of maintaining soil health. Bongani Mvubu, a research officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that many fields in Eswatini are losing fertility due to erosion, overgrazing, and changing weather patterns. He recommended regular soil testing—including chemical, physical, and biological assessments—to ensure farmers apply the correct nutrients and avoid wasting resources on unnecessary inputs.