Eswatini strengthens food security through FAO-led Food Balance Sheet Training

Mbabane - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the SADC Secretariat, through the Ministry of Agriculture a national training workshop of the development of the Food Balance Sheet (FBS). The workshop aims to strengthen statistical capacity within Eswatini. This will directly benefit the government's ability to collect, analyze, and interpret food-related data, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making on agricultural policies, food security programs, and resource allocation.  Improved data accuracy and reliability will be crucial.

“The workshop on the Food Balance Sheet (FBS) allows for more accurate assessments of food availability and utilization within Eswatini. This will aid the government in identifying food security vulnerabilities and developing targeted interventions to address them.  This is critical for the country's long-term food security objectives,” Owen Sibiya, Agriculture Economist, Ministry of Agriculture.

The workshop brings together senior Government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Communications Information and Technology, Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and other key institutions. Participants are receiving hands-on training in compilation of agricultural production data, which covers areas of Supply Utilization Accounts (SUA) variables (production, trade, seed, feed, food loss) and data mapping and inputation model.

“The workshop will assist Eswatini in harmonizing its data collection and analysis methods with regional standards. This facilitates greater comparability of data across SADC member states, enabling the development of more effective regional food security strategies,” said Malungisa Mkhatjwa, Statistician, Central Statistics Office (CSO).

A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of a national Technical Working Group (TWG), which will oversee FBS activities and ensure sustainability. The TWG will serve as the focal point for future data compilation and reporting, embedding the skills and processes within national systems. Future needs will include assistance to the TWG in undergoing the compilation process and in production of National FBS report on annual basis. The assistance involves compilation, reporting, and dissemination of reports to stakeholders.

Tendai Munyokoveri, Assistant FAO Representative - Programme, emphasized the long-term benefits, “This workshop will enable Eswatini to fully engage in regional initiatives and partnerships focused on food security and agricultural development. This can potentially lead to increased access to funding and technical support from regional bodies.”

As climate variability and economic pressures continue to affect food systems, the ability to produce timely and accurate food data is more critical than ever. Through this training, Eswatini is strengthening its foundation for evidence-based policymaking and contributing to regional food security goals. "The successful completion of the training also reflects FAO's commitment to strengthening national capacities in agricultural statistics and supporting sustainable development through data-driven decision-making,” said the Assistant FAO Representative.

“I am proud that our experts from SADC and FAO are here to assist us with preparing the Food Balance Sheet, this is important because it improves our reporting and will help guide policy coordination and support for the Kingdom of Eswatini,” Head of the Central Statistics Office, Thembinkosi Shabalala.