Madame Chairperson;
The President of IFAD;
Governors;
Distinguished Ministers;
Ambassadors;
Participants;
Ladies & Gentlemen!

First of all allow me Madame Chairperson to convey my Government’s condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti for the destruction caused by the recent earthquake.

Allow me also, Madame Chairperson to express my appreciation for IFAD’s support for small scale farmers’ development in my country as indicated by the projects for which we receive financial support. 

Chairperson, I am confident that dialogue shall continue to focus on addressing the increasing challenges faced by the small scale farmer, the most pressing to date being the impact of climate change.

The main characteristics of climate change are now well documented: These include, global warming; long-term changes in global precipitation patterns; higher frequency of extreme weather events; and increasing sea water levels.

The impact of climate change continues to manifest itself among small scale farmers in Sub-Sahara Africa including Swaziland.  Poor people are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change for a number of reasons: 

Firstly, in developing countries, poor people are generally found in vulnerable parts of their country.  In rural areas these people are generally dependent on rain-fed agriculture as  a source of livelihood. 

Secondly, in urban areas, the poorer segments of the population are more vulnerable to increasing food prices resulting from poor or erratic harvests.  

For developing countries, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to forecast appropriate planting times.  It is for this reason that farmers either plant too early in one season, at the hint of early rains which in most cases cannot sustain crop growth throughout the season; and in retrospect plant late the following season in anticipation of better rains later in the season, which unfortunately would not be forthcoming or their contribution would be eroded by extreme temperature variations. 

Climate change also creates an environment for increased pests and diseases incidence.   As small scale farmers have limited financial resources, these additional expenses to a farmer are unlikely to be met with a corresponding investment for their mitigation because most farmers cannot afford to undertake proper pest and disease management.  This therefore sets a stage for a decline in productivity, and subsequent loss in revenue.  For the farmers this means higher risks and lower or negative returns on their investments due to the seasonal uncertainty, consequently weakening the farmer’s competitiveness and ability to trade.  

These factors combined, have a negative effect on crop production with resultant yield decreases at both household and national level.  The implication of this scenario is persistent food insecurity; a situation that developing countries are fighting hard to overcome.  It is for this reason that His Majesty’s Government fully appreciates IFAD programmes that support small scale farmers, as they are a crucial means for addressing the above challenges.

Madame Chairperson, as small, developing countries we ask for a voice to support us in the quest that, in international dialogue, the issue of climate change be also addressed in relation to its impact on the trade competitiveness of small, landlocked developing countries that are largely dependent on agriculture.

May I also advocate for increased funding support for agricultural research and development to assist developing countries to obtain technologies that would help them cope with the impact of climate change.

Madame Chairperson, I was deeply encouraged by the statement by the President of IFAD during the Opening Session.  Let me take this opportunity to pledge my support to you Mr. President as you endeavour to implement your proposed strategy.

In conclusion, let me encourage IFAD to consider more acutely the plight of the small landlocked developing countries when designing assistance programmes.

I thank you Madame Chairperson

17 February 2010