UN boosts farming in Swaziland

Last year's drought was the worst the Southern African nation has faced in 15 years and it has further exacerbated the current situation in Swaziland.

Harvests were and inputs for this year's crop were also affected.

To assist farmers, FAO and the Swaziland government have established Input Trade Fairs to supply much-needed supplies.

Funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), these fairs give planters cash vouchers to allow them to select the seeds, fertilisers, tools and other items they need.

The events also are an opportunity for local seed producers and local agricultural retail businesses to sell their wares.

More than two dozen of these fairs were held in Swaziland's centre and east late last year, shortly before the start of the planting seasons, reaching some 20,000 families.

Reflecting on the impact of the initiative, John Weatherson, FAO Emergency Co-ordinator for the country, said that "the inputs where there at the right time, there was no cost to the farmers, so they felt really on the crest of a wave."

He stressed the importance of hold more of these trade fairs in a bid to address soaring food prices in line with the FAO's Initiative on Soaring Food Prices (ISFP), which offers technical and policy assistance to help vulnerable farmers increase local food production.

Courtesy of BuaNews