BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
NGCULWINI – A E226 000 investment has been poured into Eswatini’s coffee sector after the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officially handed over 5 000 coffee seedlings and nursery materials to farmers at Ngculwini in the Manzini region.
Speaking at the handover, FAO Subregional Coordinator and Representative, Patrice Talla, described the initiative as a milestone in building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable coffee value chain.
“This is not just about seedlings, it is about sowing the seeds of transformation for rural development, youth employment, and climate resilience,” he said.
“Coffee connects cultures, drives economies, and supports millions of smallholder farmers worldwide. With the right support, Eswatini can unlock this potential.”
Talla explained that under the TCP Project on Agro-Industrial Parks and Agri-Techno Hubs, FAO has prioritized coffee as a strategic value chain, identifying gaps in planting materials, nursery systems, and post-harvest processing.
To address this, FAO handed over 2 500 Arabica seedlings, 2 500 Robusta seedlings, and nursery materials, including treated poles, galvanized wire, and a 20m x 25m shade net, all valued at over E226 000.
“This support is not an end but a beginning. Soon, advanced coffee processing machinery will follow, empowering farmers to thrive in competitive markets while elevating the quality of their produce,” Talla added.
He further urged farmers and community leaders to play an active role in shaping the industry.
“Your participation is essential, engage, collaborate, and share ideas. Together we can transform Eswatini’s coffee landscape into a beacon of hope and prosperity,” he said.
The FAO stressed that Eswatini’s coffee industry, though still untapped, holds vast potential if challenges such as limited technical knowledge, poor marketing infrastructure, and lack of quality planting materials are addressed.
The handover event was hailed as a turning point for farmers, signalling a future where coffee could become not just a cash crop but a driver of sustainable growth and opportunity in rural communities.
(Featured Image: Times of Eswatini)
