TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the European Union are backing a five-year goat farming project in Eswatini to help the country build a stronger commercial meat industry, CNA reported Wednesday.
The Goat Industry Enhancement Project was launched in Manzini to strengthen Eswatini’s goat farming sector. Eswatini’s agriculture ministry will run the project from 2026 to 2030 with support from Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund.
Agribusiness Media reported that Taiwan has pledged E51.5 million (NT$98.4 million) in technical and financial support. The EU will help buy equipment for a planned goat artificial insemination center.
Eswatini Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka said the project shows the long partnership between Eswatini and Taiwan. He said Taiwan’s support would help move goat farming from a mostly traditional activity into a more organized industry.
Taiwan’s development agency said the project will support a national goat breeding center. It will also bring in better breeding goats and help set up breeding sites across Eswatini.
Goat farming is common in rural Eswatini, with the country’s goat population estimated at about 525,000. However, the sector is still led mainly by small farmers, and the country faces a shortage of goat meat.
Project Manager Thulasizwe Dlamini said the industry needs progress in breeding, animal health, nutrition, and marketing. He said most goats in Eswatini are local Swazi and Nguni crossbreeds, while commercial breeds such as Boer and Kalahari Red goats make up only a small share of the total.
Officials said slow growth and low carcass weight are key problems. Goats now take about 18 to 24 months to reach market size, with average carcass weights of 12 to 16 kilograms, per Independent News Eswatini.
The project will introduce improved breeds suited to Eswatini’s environment, including Boer goats and Kalahari Red goats. A national goat breeding center will also be set up at Mpisi Farm with 200 breeding goats.
The plan will also create 20 demonstration farms to help nearby small farmers improve their herds. Farmers will receive support in feeding, animal care, health management, breeding, forage production, and digital herd tracking.
