MBABANE – Eswatini’s agricultural sector delivered a resilient performance during the first quarter of 2026.
The country’s livestock industry emerged as the biggest driver of agricultural value after local beef production generated more than E140.36 million, despite continued challenges posed by foot-and- mouth disease (FMD), climate variability and rising production costs.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s first quarter performance report, local farmers produced 2 164.14 metric tonnes of beef during the quarter, with production valued at E140 356 100.43.
The performance represents an important milestone towards government’s broader objective of increasing national beef production to 12 000 metric tonnes, while strengthening commercial livestock production and improving rural incomes.
Beyond the production figures, the report shows that government continued investing in farmer capacity to improve productivity.
During the quarter, 80 farmers were trained on feedlot production through three workshops, while extension officers also carried out 35 feedlot siting exercises, 47 farm visits and 140 office and telephonic consultations to support commercial beef producers.
While beef accounted for the highest production value, the wider livestock industry also recorded encouraging performances across several subsectors, demonstrating the increasing commercialisation of animal production in the country.
The poultry industry remained one of the sector’s strongest performers.
Smallholder farmers produced 746.27 metric tonnes of broiler meat, generating an estimated E36.31 million during the reporting period.
Notably, the ministry clarified that these figures exclude production from large-scale commercial producers, meaning the overall contribution of the broiler industry to the economy is considerably higher.
Government also intensified extension support by training 507 farmers in commercial broiler production through workshops and awareness campaigns while conducting farm visits, poultry house siting and technical consultations aimed at increasing domestic poultry production and reducing reliance on imported chicken products.
The continued expansion of smallholder poultry production is expected to strengthen food security while creating sustainable income opportunities for rural households.
