BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– Government has set aside E65 million for the 2026/2027 Farm Input Support Programme as it intensifies efforts to boost grain production and strengthen Eswatini’s food security.
Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshauka, announced the allocation on Monday, August 17, as he officially declared the commencement of the 2026/2027 grain ploughing and planting season.
The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Maize Corporation (NMC), is aimed at improving farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs while reducing the financial burden, particularly on smallholder producers.
“We are committed to ensuring that essential inputs reach farmers timeously and at a subsidised cost to support national food production,” Tshauka said.
The support package will include certified maize seed, basal and top-dressing fertiliser, approved herbicides, appropriate pesticides and technical extension support throughout the production cycle.
Tshauka urged farmers to begin land preparation early and take advantage of the early rains to maximise production. “Farmers must take advantage of the early rains to maximise yields and improve household food security,” he said.
GOVERNMENT RETAINS 50% SUBSIDY
Despite rising global production costs, Government will maintain its 50 per cent contribution across all input support packages this season.
However, farmers’ contributions have been adjusted upwards, with the minister attributing the changes to rising fuel prices and disruptions to global fertiliser supply chains.
The cost of fuel, Tshauka said, has increased from about E22 in 2025 to E27.50 in 2026, while international conflicts have further affected agricultural supply chains.
For a one-hectare package, farmers will contribute E6 700 for maize and E6 700 for beans, up from E6 000 previously. Sorghum will cost E3 576 for one hectare, compared to the previous E3 200.
For half a hectare, farmers will contribute E3 350 for maize and beans, while the sorghum package will cost E1 788.
The subsidised tractor hire rate has also been adjusted from E580 to E607 per hour, with farmers contributing E400.
NEW MOBILE APPLICATION
In a major shift aimed at making the subsidy programme more accessible, NMC has introduced a mobile application through which farmers will be able to register and apply for input subsidies and other services without making repeated trips to Regional Development Areas (RDAs).
Farmers can begin downloading and registering on the application from Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Tshauka said a once-off registration would be required before farmers could access the services.
Farmers will continue using Eswatini Bank, MTN MoMo and Eswatini Mobile e-Mali as payment platforms, although MoMo users will also be able to make payments through the new application.
Applications for subsidised input packages will also open on August 19.
The Minister cautioned farmers against making payments before receiving confirmation from NMC that their applications had been approved.
“Only eligible and approved farmers will be advised before making their contributions,” Tshauka said, stressing that the subsidy programme would close once the allocated budget had been depleted.
FOCUS ON FOOD SECURITY
Government will also continue providing subsidised tractor hire services, with tractors and implements mobilised across all four regions through the Ministry, NMC and participating private contractors.
Tshauka said the interventions were part of Government’s broader drive to increase domestic grain production, reduce dependence on imports and improve household incomes.
He urged farmers to adopt climate-smart practices, including early planting, conservation agriculture, soil testing, water harvesting, moisture conservation, the use of certified seed and integrated pest and disease management.
“As Government, we remain fully committed to ensuring that every Liswati household has an opportunity to participate in agricultural production while advancing our national goal of achieving greater self-sufficiency in staple foods,” Tshauka said.
He called on households, youth, women, commercial farmers, farmer associations and community groups to utilise available productive land and participate actively in the 2026/2027 planting season.
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