Support Towards The Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy Project (STOSAR II) Launch

Programme Director,

European Union Ambassador,

SADC Representatives,

Principal Secretary,

Senior Government Officials,

Public and private sector partners,

Colleagues,

Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen. 

It is with great honour and enthusiasm that I join you this morning at the official launch of the second phase of the project “Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy” better known as STOSAR II.

This initiative is more than a project. It is a shared commitment to transforming agriculture in Southern Africa and improving the lives and livelihoods of the millions of people who depend on it.

Agriculture remains the backbone of economic growth, food security, and trade integration in our region. In Eswatini, agriculture is not only a source of food, but also a key driver of employment, livelihoods, and rural development. It sustains households, contributes to economic stability, and is essential to building resilience in the face of climate change.

Distinguished guests, STOSAR I was implemented from 2018 to 2024 with generous support of EUR 9 million from the European Union, delivered encouraging results across the SADC region, including here in Eswatini. Through the project, Eswatini successfully strengthened its sanitary and phytosanitary capacity and enhanced its laboratory infrastructure. These efforts have not only improved food safety and disease surveillance but also positioned the country to meet international standards, thereby unlocking greater opportunities to participate in regional and global trade. In addition, experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Statistics Office were trained on QGIS, KoboCollect, and other tools for data collection, analysis, storage, and reporting—further strengthening the country’s ability to generate reliable information for decision-making and market access.

The European Union has once again reaffirmed its commitment by providing EUR 10 million to fund STOSAR II (2025 – 2028) for the SADC Region. On behalf of FAO, I extend our deepest appreciation to the EU and the SADC Secretariat for their unwavering partnership and for believing in the agricultural potential of Eswatini. The progress achieved under STOSAR I is clear evidence that your support is making a tangible difference.

Ladies and gentlemen, at the heart of FAO’s mission is the conviction that no one should go hungry and that no one should be left behind. Our work is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals - ending poverty (SDG 1), achieving zero hunger (SDG 2), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

In Eswatini, FAO is proud to work hand-in-hand with government, farmers, civil society, and the private sector on projects and programmes that include OCOP, Hand in Hand, Green Cities, Agri food systems, and most important the emergency support to the outbreak of the FMD.

Building on the success of STOSAR I, STOSAR II will now drive forward a more climate-relevant, productive, and inclusive transformation of agriculture and food systems. Over the next four years, the project will focus on four priority areas:

1. Strengthening agricultural information management systems to improve evidence-based decision-making and support policy implementation.
2. Improving market access by building capacity to manage plant and animal pests and diseases and meet Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards for safe trade.
3. Enhancing food and nutrition security monitoring to ensure risks are identified early and addressed effectively.
4. Promoting inclusive value chains by empowering producer organisations, SMEs, women, and youth to participate in sustainable and innovative agribusiness.

Distinguished guests, following this launch, we will engage in discussions to define national priorities for Eswatini, including national priorities and comprehensive work plans. These deliberations will be critical in ensuring that STOSAR II delivers meaningful results that directly respond to the needs of Eswatini’s farmers, agribusinesses and communities.

But success will not come from plans alone. It will come from the collective action of everyone here today – government, farmers, private sector, development partners, and civil society.

So, as we embark on this new chapter, let us do so with a shared sense of ownership and purpose. Together, we can build a future where agriculture in Eswatini is productive, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient – contributing to better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.

I thank you.