EZULWINI – Eswatini has taken a significant step towards strengthening the country’s agricultural resilience and sustainability.
This follows the official launch of the GEF-8 Food Systems Transformation Project, a multi-million-Dollar initiative aimed at reshaping the nation’s agrifood systems.
The project was officially launched last Thursday at the Royal Villas.
The project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE), is being implemented with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Valued at approximately US$3.8 million (about E65.2 million), the initiative is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits across communities in Eswatini, particularly in rural areas where agriculture remains a key pillar of livelihoods. At its core, the GEF-8 Food Systems Transformation Project seeks to build resilient, inclusive and environmentally sustainable food systems while enhancing food and nutrition security.
The initiative is being implemented by FAO and executed by EWADE under the Operational Partner Implementation Modality (OPIM), a framework designed to strengthen collaboration between development partners and national institutions.
Speaking during the official launch, FAO Representative Patrice Talla described the project as a comprehensive intervention that goes beyond traditional agricultural support.
“It promotes transformation across food systems at landscape scale, covering governance, financing, production landscapes, value chains, knowledge and innovation, to deliver benefits for people, nature and the economy,” said Talla.
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Aligning with national development priorities
EZULWINI – The launch of the GEF-8 Food Systems Transformation Project comes at a time when Eswatini is intensifying efforts to modernise its agricultural sector and build resilience against external shocks.
The initiative aligns with broader national development priorities, including enhancing food security, promoting sustainable natural resource management, and driving rural economic development.
It also reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between agriculture, environmental sustainability and economic growth. Policymakers are increasingly acknowledging that long-term economic stability cannot be achieved without safeguarding natural ecosystems and ensuring sustainable resource use.
Furthermore, the project is expected to complement existing government programmes aimed at improving irrigation infrastructure, supporting smallholder farmers and promoting value addition in agriculture.
The involvement of international partners such as FAO and the Global Environment Facility highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing local development challenges.
Globally, there has been a shift towards integrated approaches to food systems transformation, driven by concerns over climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.
The GEF-8 initiative in Eswatini is part of this broader movement, positioning the country to benefit from global expertise and funding.
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