His Majesty King Mswati III has encouraged residents in areas near Mpakeni Dam to take advantage of the game-changing project, which is part of the Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma Water Augmentation Programme (MNWAP).
The project is spearheaded by the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) with a goal to ensure water security, agricultural transformation, and socio-economic improvement.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
The King said this when addressing the community of Mpakeni after touring the dam site yesterday.
During the tour, His Majesty was informed that after completion, the dam would irrigate between 25 000 and 30 000 hectares of land.
According to EWADE Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samson Sithole, the water would be used to irrigate and support farming projects from St Phillip’s down to Siphambanweni.
It was against this backdrop that His Majesty highlighted the benefits to neighbouring communities.
Read More: Agriculture Minister Implores Farmers to Start Ploughing
He said in the past, some farmers who had undertaken projects with financial assistance from banking institutions had faced challenges after the region was hit by drought.
The King said the affected farmers could not service their bank loans because they failed to yield the expected returns.
Such situations, the King noted, put the farmers in a bad light as financial institutions lost trust in them and considered them a risk.
Improved Water Supply, Improved Trust
However, with the sustainable water supply to be provided by the dam project, communities would be guaranteed high yields and, by extension, profitable agricultural businesses.
This, the King said, would also restore financial institutions’ confidence in farmers, as their ability to repay loans would greatly improve.
Therefore, the King encouraged community members to collaborate and start income-generating projects that would not only bring financial rewards but also contribute to the national economy.
The King recalled that while touring some projects in the Hhohho region last year, he learned of a group of citizens who had ventured into a business that earned them millions in returns.
He emphasised that the project was the brainchild of ordinary citizens who decided to unite and work hard towards success.
Further, the King said such initiatives could positively contribute to job creation and community development, especially because financially responsible farmers would gain greater access to bank loans for expansion.
“If they are able to service their bank loans, the banks will also trust them with even more money to expand their businesses,” His Majesty said.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
