Food Security and Nutrition - ENYC

Eswatini has made progress in economic growth and sustainability since 2010. However, it is estimated that 29 percent of the population are facing severe acute food insecurity and urgently require humanitarian assistance. The prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition remains a pressing concern across the country.

Chronic malnutrition and stunting affect 26 percent of children aged under 5. Farming is an important source of food and livelihood for 75 percent of rural families. However, Eswatini is vulnerable to climate change, with frequent droughts, erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells all affecting food production. Other factors include inadequate farming technologies, low investment in seeds, fertilizers and equipment, and structural barriers preventing access to formal markets. As a result, the country depends on imports to feed its people. Given the increasingly challenging socioeconomic context, the Government recognizes the need to monitor the food security situation in the most vulnerable areas through the NDMA and the VAC to help inform and enhance shock preparedness and response. In addition, the climate change studies and analytical work undertaken show that Eswatini is vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The lowveld is already feeling the impact with some areas having regular drought. The future does not look promising and could change the economic development trajectory. Also, youth participation in agriculture can provide employment platforms in agribusiness and in the process help the country achieve food security through crop farming and livestock rearing. However, reports also indicate that the farming community in the country is aging and there are very few entrants into agriculture, particularly the youth. The Labour Force Survey (2016) found that only 29% of the youth participate in agriculture amidst a high youth unemployment rate of 58.2%. Youth Participation in Agriculture in the Manzini Region, points to several factors such as low wages, access to capital, exclusion in agriculture policy formation, and lack of information and technology as the major culprits for driving youth out of agriculture.

Policymakers in the country need to change the face of agriculture and make it much more appealing to Eswatini’s youth