Swazi Observer

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EU SMALLHOLDER SUPPORT BENEFITS OVER 3 000 HOUSEHOLDS

By Majaha Nkonyane | 2018-10-15

THE European Union’s (EU) support to the country continues to be visible as they continue to assist smallholder sugar cane farmers in the country.

This was voiced out by European Union Ambassador Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, who was speaking during the Smallholder Sugarcane Growers competition that was held on Friday at Phumlamcashi area. “The country’s National Adaptation Plan for the sector, has seen over 7 500 hectors being developed for smallholder sugar cane farmers, benefitting over 3 000 households, with even more people enjoying the services of improved road infrastructure,” she said.

According to Hernandez Aragones the support under the accompanying measures is winding down, but the good news for the sugar industry in the country is that relations between the EU and Eswatini are not ending.

Hernandez Aragones assured the smallholder farmers that sugar sales to the EU will still continue within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement signed between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the EU.

“EU supports the strategic moves the industry is now discussing on issues of diversification, in an effort to get the best value of a stick of cane, it is hoped that upon implementation the results of the diversification will yield better dividends for the industry, and benefit the smallholder sugar cane farmers in Eswatini,” she said. According to Hernandez Aragones the prevailing marketing challenges faced by the sugar industry underscore the need for even more effort in engagement by all players in the industry to look into how the sugar cane sector could respond.

In addition Hernandez Aragones said since the establishment of the sugar industry in the 1950s, the European Union is proud to have been part of one of the most important economic sectors for the country. This they have shown through provision of preferential markets for Eswatini sugar and through the accompanying measures for sugar protocol countries.

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