The Hon. Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza graced ESWADE with his presence during an orientation tour of the Organization’s projects. The tour was for the purposes of determining both strengths and challenges faced by the organization in its pursuit of commercializing agriculture. Addressing ESWADE staff from HVCHP; LUSIP; SMLP and Water Management at the LUSIP Main offices; the Minister stressed the value and opportunities that commercializing agriculture brings to both the individual farmer and the economy of the country.  
Hon. Minister making a submission during the briefing session 
 
Commercializing agriculture for instance, makes having even a piece of land become an opportunity for being part of the economy; however this is when one plays their part in planting mainstreamed crops deemed viable by institutions such as HVCHP & NAMBOARD. The Minister therefore urged staff to always think commercially when dealing with the farmers so as to open their eyes to this needed trend in Agriculture.   
A brief was held between ESWADE Management and the Minister’s entourage before meeting staff and heading to project sites. It was during this brief that the Minister was presented a holistic picture of the organization by its CEO Mr. Samson Sithole.  
ESWADE CEO with LUSIP Project Manager & Technical Advisor The Minister showed great interest in the diversification efforts done by the organization interms of agricultural produce and inquired as to whether there were plans to extend to other poverty stricken areas in the country. Responding confidently, the CEO mentioned that plans were advancing for the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma project in the Shiselweni region which will look at growing High Value crops that are both responsive to the area’s poverty and adaptive to its climatic conditions.  
 
The tour began at one of ESWADE’s structures, the Lukhetseni Packhouse which stores banana produce. What is interesting about this packhouse is how banana producing Farmer Companies of the area came together to create a marketing company known as Lubovane Luyasondla (L&L) to sell their produce. One would imagine that companies should compete yet in this case they complement each other and as a result yield higher benefits. The Minister was relayed to on the processes of the value chain and how they are positioned to attain the said benefits.  
Moving on, the Minister was treated to the views and operations of the Lubovane Dam/ Reservoir. Mr. Musa Masilela of the Water Management Unit presented that this irrigation source services over 20 FC’s in the area and will continue to supply water to the 2nd Phase of the LUSIP initiative which looks at instituting an additional 28 FCs. Fascinated by the size and resilience of the dam, the Minister was curious to know if there are tourist destinations now surrounding the dam. Camp sites such as the popular Wendy’s Lodge were cited as present as well as fishing activities. 
 
The third stop was the demonstration plot where varying crops are trialed for both resilience and viability. Popular among these is the rather strangelooking fruit called Pitaya but commonly known as the Dragon Fruit. This fruit is said to be rich in Calcium, Vitamin C and Carbohydrates. ESWADE partnering with the Taiwanese measured its international performance and found it allowing for being trialed on Eswatini soils. However, farmers in the area have started growing the fruit for commercial purposes.  
 
The final stop was at the beginning of the 2nd phase of the LUSIP project where all that was witnessed during the tour in LUSIP phase 1 was imagined for LUSIP phase 2. Mr. Ranga of Inyatsi Construction relayed that progress for canal construction was halfway done and that in total it would be about 6km. This phase continues to explore opportunities for further advancement of commercial agriculture, however in ways that are now wary of issues of climate change and the resilience of crops as well as irrigation systems. A group picture with the Minister was taken as a mark for both solidarity and appreciation for the organization’s efforts towards regaining the economy through commercializing agriculture.