SD can repeat Malawi miracle

AGRICULTURE and co-operatives Minister Mtiti Fakudze has said that Swaziland can repeat the Malawi miracle of maize surpluses if a system of agricultural subsidies can be introduced.

The minister made these remarks at the Manzini region mini-agricultural summit held at Mphophoma, Malkerns, yesterday.

He said that not long ago, Malawi was struggling with food security, but immediately turned their fortunes around with the introduction of subsidies.

He, however, stressed that it could not be left to government to introduce the change, saying a political decision was necessary which could only be taken by the Swazi nation as is the norm in the Tinkhundla system.

“As you know, it is the people who have to take the initiative as this is a political decision, government cannot do this alone,” Fakudze said.

Other factors noted by the minister in his speech were the need for diversification to drought resistant commodities instead of focusing on maize.

He noted that farmers who diversified to sorghum in the drought- stricken regions realised good harvests despite the prevailing dry conditions.

“Some crops like sweet potatoes have as yields as 4-8 times higher than maize. Some of these also require less inputs yet they have higher yields and returns compared to maize,” he said.

A changing of mind sets is necessary in order for the country to realise food security. He said there are three levels the agriculture sector has to operate on; government roles, farmer roles and then the farmer and government roles.

The summit was attended by over 500 farmers.