Eswatini seeks investment for agrifood and rangeland restoration

Eswatini is launching initiatives to secure investment for its agricultural and land management sectors. Through the new National Agrifood Systems Investment Programme (NASIP), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) aim to modernize value chains, strengthen food security, and improve farmer resilience.

This programme transitions the country from its previous national agricultural investment plan to the NASIP framework, aligning with the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The initiative seeks to identify practical policy and investment solutions by analyzing market trends, supply chains, and profitability.

Additionally, Eswatini is calling for increased international funding for rangeland restoration. Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuke emphasized that rangelands cover over two-thirds of the country and are vital to the livestock sector. He noted that unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and land degradation threaten these ecosystems, which serve as the foundation for national food security and the economy.