BUS 7: When women farm better, Eswatini eats better

A new gender-responsive training programme is seeking to improve productivity and food security in Eswatini by helping women farmers gain better access to agricultural services, training and decision-making opportunities.

Women perform much of the work in Eswatini's agricultural sector, yet many continue to face barriers to land ownership, income control and decision-making.

To address these challenges, the European Union and the International Trade Centre's (ITC) SheTrades initiative, in partnership with the Government of Eswatini and the Eswatini National Agricultural Union (ESNAU), have launched a gender-responsive agricultural services manual and video series.

The tools are designed to help extension officers, cooperatives, farmer organisations and agribusiness support institutions better serve women, young people and other vulnerable groups.

According to the partners, the initiative seeks to move agricultural support services away from a one-size-fits-all approach and towards farmer-centred solutions that reflect the realities faced by women in rural communities.

Obstacles

Women often encounter obstacles including limited land ownership, restricted decision-making power and difficulty attending training sessions because of household and caregiving responsibilities.

"We cannot achieve full food self-sufficiency if 50% of our workforce – our women farmers – continues to face systemic barriers that limit their productivity," said Sydney Simelane, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture.

ESNAU chief executive Tammy Dlamini said the programme encourages communities to address inequalities through dialogue and practical solutions.

"We do not simply tell people what to do. We start conversations that help families solve their own challenges and rethink how resources are allocated within households," she said.

Early results from pilot communities suggest the approach is already making a difference, with reports of stronger household cooperation, more inclusive decision-making and greater participation by women in agricultural activities and markets.

Expansion

One example is Thembisile Mafu from the Shiselweni Region, who began with a small backyard garden and has since expanded her operation to three hectares through training and support provided by ESNAU.

Her efforts recently earned her the Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award in her region.

"Back home, people do not always take you seriously if you are young and female," Mafu said. "But if you keep working and take part in the training opportunities, you can grow."

The initiative forms part of the broader EU-ITC programme, Eswatini: Promoting Growth Through Competitive Alliances, and coincides with the 50th anniversary of official cooperation between the EU and Eswatini.

Partners behind the programme say the long-term goal is to strengthen agricultural support systems across the country and ensure that women farmers have equal opportunities to contribute to agricultural production, food security and economic growth.

They believe that improving access to training, resources and markets for women will not only strengthen rural livelihoods but also help build a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector. - Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.