The government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Taiwan Embassy in Eswatini greatly facilitated implementation, with utmost appreciation to the government of Taiwan through its Council of Agriculture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for financial and technical support.

At least 10,000 children now have improved nutrition from eating traditional vegetables, thanks to the TAVI project implemented with the Eswatini Ministry of Agriculture. And many are also learning how to grow traditional African vegetables in special school gardens, now in their second growing season…

The Taiwan-Africa Vegetable Initiative provided seed kits containing seeds of nine crops varieties to 16 schools, with two teachers from each receiving technical training, and further support to establish a garden including some tools and equipment. The gardens are important as outdoor classrooms for teaching children how to grow, as well as for the vegetables they produce.

Ten selected champion farmers deliver traditional African vegetables to each school once or twice a week, for which the TAVI project pays farmers per kg delivered. Headteacher of Boyana primary school Mrs Precious Mabuza couldn’t be clearer about the benefits. “Many of our children depend on the school for meals, so this project really adds something valuable. I am so happy that our children can eat a proper balanced meal some days, but it would be so much better if this could be every day. And the children really enjoy working in their new garden, and learning how to grow these nutritious vegetables that they also harvest and eat.”

In Boyane primary school, Mrs Fagouti, home economist at the Ministry of Education gives a lesson on the value and importance of nutritious food: vitamin A for better eyesight, vitamin C to prevent colds, vitamin E for healthy skin, and the need for minerals, especially iron for adolescent girls during their periods. “We at the Ministry of Education feel that this is a really worthwhile project that enhances the variety and nutritional value of schools meals”, says Sibongiseni Dlamini, nutrition inspector for Manzini region. “The government provides only starch and beans so nutrients are lacking, especially iron that is so important for menstruating girls. This is only a pilot, I know, but we can already see that it works very well.” The Ministry of Education and Training, one of the key partners in TAVI, has now also included traditional African vegetables in primary school curricula, which is a significant and welcome step forward.

At Engudzeni primary school in Shiselweni Region, Mrs Dlamini takes her class of 48 children to the school garden for a lesson. Today, it is about why traditional African vegetables tend to be more resistant. She also says they have begun to save seed for planting next season. “We appreciate a lot what the project has provided, and the children learn so much.”

And the children really appreciate it too. Of the main crops they grow – amaranth, African eggplant and nightshade, cowpea, okra, pumpkin – many say they like the African nightshade the best. Back at Boyane, headteacher Precious Mabuza is so happy with the results that her school is planning to double the size of their garden. “Last year we started with half the field. Next year we will ask for the rest to be ploughed so we can grow more.“ The next step is to encourage production at the children’s own homesteads. Seed kits will be given to the 1,318 children who are part of gardening classes, and others who are interested.

The project also supports orphanages and community feeding centers, amongst other activities. This story is an extract from a book of four stories, to be published in April, where you can read about all the work in the country.

World Vegetable Center, 2023. Bringing back traditional African vegetables in Eswatini. Healthier meals from farmers’ fields. Sharing seeds for local and global needs. World Vegetable Center, Mbabane, Eswatini.