By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) is set to roll out a E1.073 billion initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment while revolutionizing the agricultural sector.
With a substantial investment of E1.073 billion, the Youth Empowerment Project will officially launch in April, training 15,000 young people annually in commercial farming, agro-processing, and value chain enterprises.
The initiative is expected to create at least 10,000 jobs annually, significantly reducing the unemployment rate among the country’s youth.
The project’s scope extends beyond mere job creation—it seeks to cultivate agripreneurs by equipping young people with modern farming techniques, access to irrigation infrastructure, and business mentorship.
Through this initiative, EWADE aims to remove key barriers to youth participation in agriculture, including land access, finance, and technical support.
Speaking on Eswatini TV’s Market View programme, EWADE’s Project Manager for the Commercial Maize Project, Robert Mabundza, emphasized the urgency of addressing youth unemployment.
“We have a significant population of unemployed young people, with some estimates suggesting up to 50% of the youth have no jobs. Many are out of school or out of college but remain without employment opportunities. The government has mandated us to develop a project that will not only create jobs but also empower young people to become business owners in agriculture,” he stated.
Recognizing that limited land access discourages youth participation in farming, EWADE has structured the programme to provide multiple entry points across the agricultural value chain.
Young people will have opportunities in areas such as logistics, distribution, agro-processing, and other support services, ensuring broader participation beyond just on-farm production.
The programme is designed to benefit 40,000 young people over five years, not only through direct training but also through the creation of secondary employment opportunities.
“Each community or region where this project operates is expected to generate at least five new jobs per participant. Beyond just training, we will provide mentorship, coaching, and business support to ensure youth remain engaged and active in the agricultural economy,” Mabundza explained.
This approach aligns with the broader government objective of enhancing food security while reducing Eswatini’s reliance on food imports.
EWADE’s initiative is not just about employment—it also aims to bolster national food security. Mabundza highlighted Eswatini’s current maize deficit, with national demand standing at 140,000 metric tons annually.
“Our local production is still below what is needed. This project is part of the government’s import substitution strategy to bridge the gap and ensure food self-sufficiency,” he noted.
By integrating modern farming techniques and irrigation infrastructure, the initiative will increase agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food production for local and regional markets.
The selection process for participants will be inclusive and community-driven, ensuring that the most vulnerable and interested youth can access the programme.
“We are working with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Extension Services and local Tinkhundla centers to mobilize young people. Selection criteria will not be rigid—we are focusing on out-of-school youth, both Form 5 graduates and tertiary graduates, aged 18 to 35. We will also prioritize child-headed households and young women to ensure inclusivity,” Mabundza explained.
Training will take place in agricultural training centers located in all four regions of the country, minimizing costs for participants and ensuring accessibility.