On August 28-29, 2024, PELUM Eswatini held pivotal Agroecology Community Dialogues in the Shiselweni and Lubombo regions. These sessions brought together farmers from 36 communities, providing a platform to discuss sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and climate change resilience.
Engaging Farmers in Crucial Conversations The dialogues attracted 76 participants, including 46 males and 30 females. The focus was on addressing the critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as high farming input costs, limited market access, climate shocks, and reliance on hybrid seeds. Participants shared their experiences, highlighting how the high costs of inputs, distant agro-suppliers, and volatile market dynamics undermine profitability and make small-scale farmers vulnerable to natural disasters like droughts and cyclones.
Environmental Concerns and the Push for Policy Reforms Environmental issues were also a significant topic of discussion. Participants raised concerns about the impact of invasive species, veld fires, and soil erosion, which reduce agricultural productivity. The dialogues underscored the need for policy reforms to promote the use of indigenous seeds. These seeds offer resilience against harsh climate conditions but are often overlooked in favor of more expensive hybrid varieties.
The community dialogues provided critical insights into the socio-economic, environmental, and policy gaps that need to be addressed. The sessions highlighted the urgency of supporting smallholder farmers in their transition to more sustainable practices and the necessity of creating a conducive policy environment to facilitate this transition.
Through these dialogues, PELUM Eswatini continues to champion the cause of sustainable agriculture and climate resilience, ensuring that the voices of smallholder farmers are heard and their needs addressed.