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Taiwan Teams Up with EU to Upgrade Eswatini’s Livestock Sector with Launch of New Goat Industry Project
The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), in collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the European Union (EU), and various development partners, officially launched the "Goat Industry Enhancement Project" (GIEP) on May 8 at The George Hotel in Eswatini. The project aims to improve rural livelihoods and strengthen food security by enhancing production efficiency, optimizing value chains, and promoting the commercialization of the livestock sector.
The launch ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Prince Gija Dlamini, Regional Administrator of Manzini; Senator Lindiwe Gwebu-Dlamini, President of the Senate; Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture; Jose Bacerra Marta, Political Counselor of the EU Delegation; H.E. Jeremy Liang, Ambassador of the ROC (Taiwan) to Eswatini; and Mars Shiue, Country Director of the Taiwan Technical Mission in Eswatini. Together, they witnessed a new milestone in the development of Eswatini's livestock industry.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Liang expressed his hope that the project would build upon the success of previous cooperation in aquaculture, pig farming, and fruit tree cultivation to further drive rural development and economic empowerment. Representing the EU, Counselor Marta announced a partnership with Taiwan to support the establishment of a Goat Artificial Insemination Center through equipment procurement, aimed at boosting breeding capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
Senate President Gwebu-Dlamini highly commended the project, encouraging women and youth to actively engage in goat farming and other agricultural sectors, emphasizing that agriculture is a key engine for economic growth. Minister Tshawuka thanked Taiwan, the EU, and all partners for their long-term support, noting that the previous Taiwan-Eswatini pig farming project successfully achieved pork self-sufficiency. He highlighted that this new project serves as a pivotal opportunity for the transformation and commercialization of the goat industry.
Henry Jian, Project Manager of the Taiwan Technical Mission in Eswatini, noted that Eswatini currently has approximately 525,000 goats, most of which are raised under traditional communal grazing systems. The industry has long faced challenges such as inadequate breeding systems, poor nutrition, high kid mortality rates, and unstable market supply. The GIEP will introduce artificial insemination, fodder production, vaccination programs, and commercial farming models to enhance industry resilience and sustainability.
TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General PeifenHsieh stated that this project is a strategic collaboration between Taiwan and Eswatini running from 2026 to 2030. Core objectives include establishing a National Goat Breeding Center, introducing superior breeds, strengthening modern livestock management systems, and setting up satellite breeding stations nationwide, injecting new momentum into the transformation of Eswatini's livestock sector.
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- Update: 2026/05/13
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