BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE— Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has launched a E51.5 million Goat Industry Enhancement Project aimed at transforming the country’s most overlooked livestock sector into a stronger commercial industry capable of creating jobs, improving rural livelihoods, and boosting livestock production.
The five year project, running from 2026 to 2030, was launched on 7 May 2026 at the George Hotel in Manzini by Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka, with support from the Republic of China (Taiwan) through the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), while the European Union will support parts of the programme.
The project will focus on improving goat productivity, strengthening breeding systems, establishing a Goat Artificial Insemination Centre, and improving market access for farmers. Tshawuka said the initiative was designed to build a resilient goat value chain capable of withstanding challenges such as inbreeding, diseases, poor nutrition, and climate change.
He said goats remain important to rural livelihoods, with most of the country’s estimated 525 000 goats owned by households in rural communities. “The aim is to build a resilient goat value chain,” said Tshawuka.
In a strongly worded message, the minister warned against projects that benefit officials more than communities. “I don’t like it when the money ends up in expensive hotels and expensive food for us officials,” he said. “Let us do things that are going to transform people’s livelihoods.”
The launch comes as the country continues battling Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has affected parts of the livestock sector and disrupted trade. Tshawuka said government’s vaccination, surveillance, and animal movement control measures were beginning to reduce the spread of the disease.
Taiwanese Ambassador Jeremy Liang said the project marked a new phase in agricultural cooperation between Eswatini and Taiwan, adding that improved genetics, artificial insemination, and farmer training would help farmers increase production and incomes.
European Union Political Counsellor Jose Becerra said the project was important for rural development and economic inclusion, particularly for communities that depend on livestock for survival.
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(Courtesy Pic)
