BY ANDREW DLAMINI
MBABANE – Cospe, in collaboration with partners including the Ministry of Agriculture, World Vision, and Taiwan Africa Vegetable Initiative (TAVI), has invested over E1.3 million in the production of indigenous vegetables in schools and communities across Eswatini.
According to the Times of Eswatini the announcement was made by Lisa Zannerini, the Country Director of Cospe, during a workshop attended by nearly 100 farmers from communities in the Lubombo Region at the Siteki Hotel.
The total investment was E1,303,754. It was utilized to assist schools and farmers in establishing indigenous vegetable gardens in communities and enhancing the capacity of local farmers. Zannerini praised the collaborative efforts of various organizations and emphasized the crucial role played by the Ministry of Agriculture, World Vision, and TAVI in supporting the promotion and production of wild vegetables by local farmers.
TAVI made significant contributions by donating tanks and garden tools to 16 schools across the country, facilitating the implementation of this transformative project. Zannerini revealed that Cospe was in the process of establishing a seed bank for indigenous vegetables, a strategic measure to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture.
In an interview with Times of Eswatini Zannerini highlighted the invaluable health benefits of indigenous vegetables, emphasizing that families consuming these nutritious options experienced longer and healthier lives. The integration of traditional vegetables into home meals and school diets has been a resounding success, according to Joyce Mulila Mitti, a Consultant with Cospe. Mitti emphasized Cospe’s role in training teachers and school cooks, ensuring that nutritious meals were prepared, and championing farmers were trained to produce and supply traditional vegetables to schools, thereby creating sustainable livelihoods.
Thembisile Myeni, a farmer from the Mambane community, expressed gratitude for Cospe’s support, noting a significant improvement in her family’s diet due to the project. Myeni also commended Cospe for inspiring neighbouring farmers to engage in the production of indigenous vegetables, creating a ripple effect of positive change within the community.
Cospe’s investment in indigenous vegetable production stands as a testament to its commitment to promoting healthy living, enhancing local economies, and creating sustainable agricultural practices in Eswatini. As communities and schools continue to reap the benefits of this initiative, the impact on nutrition, livelihoods, and overall well-being is expected to be great.
