BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – Nearly 3000 farmers across Eswatini have already paid for their farming inputs under the national subsidy programme, contributing a total of E17.1 million on Monday alone. The Chief Executive Officer of the National Maize Corporation (NMC), Mavela Vilane, described the turnout as a strong demonstration of commitment by the farming community.
According to Vilane, 2,970 farmers made payments on Monday, showing their eagerness to prepare for the upcoming planting season. He urged farmers who have not yet paid to do so before the September 30 deadline.
“Once payments close, farmers can collect their implements from any of the more than 20 agro-dealers across the country. They can then start preparing their fields immediately, as tractors will be ready to operate from October 1 until December,” Vilane said.
To meet the high demand for tillage services, NMC has been recruiting seasonal drivers over the past three months. About 120 drivers will operate NMC tractors, while contracts with 40 private tractor owners are being finalised to ensure wider coverage.
“This year, we aim to make sure no farmer is left waiting. By engaging both private tractor owners and our own drivers, we can provide faster service and create income opportunities for tractor owners,” Vilane explained.
The CEO also warned farmers about possible scams, noting that some individuals are falsely claiming to have retail codes for subsidy payments. “The only official method is to pay through the bank or get your retail code at your nearest Rural Development Area office. Farmers should not fall for fraudsters,” he cautioned.
Vilane reassured farmers that there are sufficient funds to cover all eligible participants. “If you are still receiving an SMS notification to pay, your subsidy is guaranteed,” he added.With tractors ready, contracts in place, and thousands of payments made, NMC is well prepared for a smooth and timely planting season.
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