By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Thulisile Dladla, the Deputy Prime Minister(DPM) has urged countries to prioritize rural subsistence agriculture to enhance food security.

Government online platforms reported this week that, the DPM has been speaking at the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Fight Against Hunger and Rural Development,she was representing King Mswati and the Nation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the DPM met with the Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Hon. Luiz Paulo Teixeira, and the President of the Brazilian State Company for Agricultural Research, Ms Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá. She also visited the National Supply Company (CONAB), where she was welcomed by Director MrJoão Edegar Pretto and Head of International Relations Mr. Marisson de Melo Marinho.

“The need to strengthen rural, family, and subsistence agriculture is urgent, as exogenous shocks like climate change, pandemics, and economic crises threaten our farmers. In Eswatini, we equip farmers with tools to cultivate our lands, promote nutrition through local harvests, and ensure market access via regional trade. Sustainable practices, like water-efficient irrigation, safeguard our environment, while cooperatives foster rural resilience, reflecting our values of community and progress.Our continent drives innovation in agriculture, nutrition, and trade, yet faces climate shocks and infrastructure gaps. This Dialogue, a testament to multilateral engagement, enables us to learn from Brazil’s leadership in hunger eradication and sustainable agriculture, particularly its support for subsistence farmers through financial assistance, training, and stable markets. These initiatives help farmers withstand shocks. Africa’s cooperative models enrich this collaboration, building on decades of Brazil-Africa partnerships,” she said.