BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE– Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has sought the support of the World Food Programme (WFP) in establishing Eswatini’s planned 140 000-metric-tonne National Grain Reserve.
This comes in the wake of Government pushing ahead with its vision of strengthening food sovereignty and protecting the country against future food crises.
The Prime Minister sought the assistance when he met WFP Country Director Nanga Kaye at the Private and Cabinet Office today, where discussions centred on the existing strategic partnership between Eswatini and the United Nations agency and opportunities to deepen cooperation.
Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the Prime Minister shared Government’s vision of attaining food sovereignty and specifically sought WFP support in the establishment of the country’s grain reserves.
The proposed reserve is expected to eventually provide storage capacity of about 140 000 metric tonnes of grain and legumes, giving Eswatini a strategic buffer during droughts, poor harvests, border closures, pandemics and disruptions to regional and global supply chains.
Government has previously approved the establishment of the National Grain Reserve Facility, which is expected to be developed in phases and constructed at Dvokolwako. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the project, the facility will comprise modern storage infrastructure designed to preserve staple commodities and reduce post-harvest losses.
The report states that the reserve will strengthen national food security by ensuring food remains available when domestic production declines or imports become difficult. It is also expected to use modern grain handling, drying, moisture monitoring, aeration and preservation systems to maintain the quality of grain over extended periods.
The facility is expected to operate as a strategic national buffer, with reserves released during supply disruptions, natural disasters or abnormal increases in food prices.
According to the WFP Eswatini Country Brief for July 2026, the organisation already works closely with Government on strengthening national food systems, social protection, climate resilience and assistance to vulnerable populations.
The report states that WFP continued supporting Government through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, initiatives to improve smallholder farmers’ access to markets and technical assistance aimed at strengthening local procurement, food quality and nutrition-sensitive programming.
During June, WFP assisted 46 572 people, including 20 000 schoolchildren across 46 primary schools under the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme and 26 572 orphaned and vulnerable children through 861 Neighbourhood Care Points.
The Country Brief further shows that WFP distributed 118.7 metric tonnes of food in June and transferred cash assistance valued at about E1 million (US$70 833).
Mdluli said the Prime Minister also sought WFP support in developing a concept to further strengthen the national school feeding programme, building on the partnership that is already supporting thousands of children.
The July report notes that WFP’s school feeding support is intended to contribute to improved school attendance, nutrition and learning outcomes, while its Home-Grown School Feeding approach also supports the broader goal of strengthening local food systems.
The meeting also discussed Eswatini’s El Niño response plan and the anticipated role of WFP in supporting its implementation should climate conditions place communities and food production under pressure.
Dlamini urged the organisation to work closely with Government on high-impact projects and to make greater use of locally available capacity in food distribution programmes in order to create employment opportunities for emaSwati.
He also encouraged WFP to consider training emaSwati in the implementation of cash transfer programmes in preparation for possible climate-related emergencies.
This comes as the July WFP report indicates that the organisation had already conducted community engagement sessions ahead of the implementation of its Cash-Based Transfer Programme, sensitising potential beneficiaries on programme objectives, eligibility and assistance modalities.
Government’s push for a grain reserve and stronger partnership with WFP forms part of a broader strategy to build resilience against climate shocks while reducing dependence on food imports and strengthening local agricultural production.
The EIA report on the proposed grain reserve states that, beyond food security, the facility could support farmers by reducing post-harvest losses and stimulate opportunities across the agricultural value chain, including transport, logistics, milling and equipment maintenance.
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(Courtesy Pic)
