EU presents five vehicles to support Eswatini farmers

EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Karsten Mecklenburg, presented the vehicles, valued at over SZL 3 million, to the Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, during a ceremony held in Manzini.

Making the presentation, Ambassador Mecklenburg said the vehicles will assist the government in reaching smallholder farmers and communities across Eswatini, thus enhancing support and service delivery.

He said this supports builds on recent interventions the EU has made in the country’s agricultural sector in the form of hay bailing equipment donated in May 2025 and the ongoing support to the current fight against the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Kingdom.

“The EU understands the role livestock significantly holds in areas of culture and economy for Emaswati, hence this support. Developing this critical value chain, therefore, reflects our shared commitment to enterprise and sustainable rural development, improved food systems and inclusive economic growth,” said the Ambassador.

He also applauded Eswatini’s response to the recent outbreak of FMD in the Shiselweni region, saying the donated vehicles will also provide support to such emergencies. 

“Eswatini holds a special place in the ability to export beef to the international markets, including the European Union – an envied position earned through commitment to stringent quality, traceability and animal health standards.

“Through instruments like to EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Eswatini’s beef enjoys duty-free, quota-free access to the European markets supporting not just trade, but economic diversification, rural livelihoods and smallholder empowerment as well,” said the Ambassador.

Receiving the vehicles, Minister Tshawuka thanked the EU for its long-standing support to the country’s agricultural sector, noting that the recent EU support being the donation of hay-bailing equipment in May 2025, the construction of 16 earth dams across the country to support local farmers and the fight against the recent outbreak of FMD.

“These vehicles will go a long way in improving service delivery to the country’s farmers. In fact, service delivery is one of my Ministry’s three main pillars – the two others being food security and wealth creation. As such, we really appreciate this EU support as it helps my Ministry to meet one of its key pillars,” said the Minister.