Search

4.4. Frequent droughts and other extreme weather events, attributed to climate change, have led to periodic declines in food production and food insecurity. (...)

4.8. The MOA[Ministry of Agriculture]'s Strategic Plan (2018-2023) is the main policy document for Eswatini's agricultural sector. Based on the National Development Strategy (Section 2.2), the Plan seeks to increase productivity for both crops and livestock products and "to transform agriculture into a modernized, sustainable, diversified production and export-oriented sector that contributes to improved food security, export revenue generation, job creation and overall economic development".(...)

4.12. A Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF), which acts as a monitoring system combining satellite imagery with nationwide ground data observed in 13 sentinel sites, was introduced in 2020. The LDSF shall identify soil erosion hotspots and prevent soil erosion before it occurs.

4.13. Under the Smallholder Market-Led Project (SMLP), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented between 2016 and 2022, smallholder farmers received training on sustainable and demand-based production methods and on improved soil and water conservation.

4.32. Eswatini's forest land, extending over 24% of its land area, is a key natural resource. (...)The sector faces several challenges, including deforestation and unsustainable production and harvesting methods. The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs is responsible for policy formulation in the forestry sector.

4.38. Eswatini is a net importer of energy. It meets its energy demands through biomass (firewood and bagasse from sugar production), electricity, petroleum products, and coal. The use of renewable energy remains minimal.

4.39. (...) The Ministry[Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE)] (...) seeks to increase the role of renewable energies and formulated a strategy framework and action plan.

4.42. (...) Domestic production, mainly from hydropower, is vulnerable to droughts as was the case in 2016.

4.50. (...) Tariff concessions are available for the textile sector, which is facing several challenges, including (...) and (v) poor compliance with environmental standards. (...)

1.3. Lesotho's economy is vulnerable and is subject to external and environmental volatility.(...)