By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – Farmers in Eswatini can look forward to a more productive ploughing season, thanks to government’s increased allocation of E65 million for the National Maize Corporation (NMC) Farm Input Subsidy Programme.
This marks a significant boost from last year’s E59 million, reinforcing government’s commitment to agricultural development and food security.
Government’s Commitment to Smallholder Farmers
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg highlighted the importance of this investment, stating, “Government has allocated E65 million to the NMC in the 2025/26 financial year for the Input Subsidy and Tractor Hire Programme, which is designed to benefit smallholder farmers in the sector.”
Beyond the subsidy programme, government has earmarked E40 million for commercial maize farming and E14 million to strengthen the Hamba Ubuye project. Additionally, E10 million has been allocated to enhance the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), further expanding financial support for the sector.
Empowering Youth in Agriculture
Recognizing the potential of young entrepreneurs in farming, the government has also secured E50 million from the International Development Association (IDA) for a youth-focused agriculture initiative. “This project will be taking off soon, and we are confident it will create more opportunities for young farmers,” the minister stated.
Agriculture as an Economic Driver
Minister Rijkenberg emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Eswatini’s economic growth, especially in addressing unemployment.
“We have tens of thousands of hectares of unused terraced agricultural land in Eswatini, and we have a big unemployment problem. If we can economically farm on small plots of land, we can create a win-win situation.”
He drew inspiration from successful agricultural models in Eastern countries, where small-scale farms are operated efficiently to yield substantial economic returns.
New Projects to Enhance Productivity
Among the upcoming initiatives is the Smallholder Agricultural Productivity and Market Enhancement Project (SAPEMP), set to launch in May 2025 under the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE). With a budget of E60.40 million, SAPEMP aims to empower over 17,000 smallholder farmers, particularly in the vulnerable southeastern regions.
This substantial investment in agriculture underscores the government’s proactive approach to ensuring food security and economic sustainability, solidifying Eswatini’s position as an agricultural hub.
