BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE – As signs point to a smaller maize harvest this year, farmers across Eswatini have been advised to harvest and store their maize properly to avoid post-harvest losses and protect household food supplies.
This follows early field assessments by the Ministry of Agriculture which show that this year’s harvest is likely to be lower than last year’s, raising concerns over household food security.
This was said by Nikiwe Dlamini, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Extension in the Ministry of Agriculture, on April 16, 2026.
Rainfall Pattern Raises Concern
Nikiwe Dlamini said although the country received heavy rains during the ploughing season, most of the rainfall fell within the first two weeks, leaving crops without enough moisture during the critical growing stages.
She said many farmers planted during the first rains because the season had initially looked promising. However, the long dry spells that followed later affected crop growth and reduced the expected harvest.
“The rains came heavily at the beginning of the ploughing season, but there was not enough follow-up rain when crops needed moisture to grow well. This will affect yields,” she said.
Dlamini said while the ministry was still carrying out assessments and could not yet confirm final harvest figures, early observations showed this year’s maize production was likely to be lower than last year’s.
Early Harvest Can Reduce Losses
She said farmers should not delay harvesting once the crop reaches maturity, as leaving maize too long in the field exposes it to theft, pests, mould and damage from late rains.
The Deputy Director of Agriculture and Extension said farmers should pick maize as soon as the cobs are dry and kernels are hard, instead of waiting too long for complete drying in the field.
She also advised farmers to sort out damaged or mouldy cobs while still in the field and avoid placing harvested maize on wet ground to prevent contamination.
Drying and Storage Matter
On storage, Dlamini said maize should be dried properly before being taken into storage. She said farmers should dry maize on the cob in the sun for two to three weeks on clean tarpaulins before shelling and storing it.
“Maize must be thoroughly dried before storage. If stored with moisture, it can rot or develop aflatoxins, which are dangerous to health,” she said.
The ministry also called on farmers to use clean storage facilities, airtight bags or sealed containers to protect grain from weevils and moisture damage. Stored maize should be kept off the floor and away from walls to improve airflow.
Winter Crops Important for Food Security
On food security, Nikiwe Dlamini said households should not depend only on summer maize production but should also make use of winter to plant vegetables and other crops.
She said winter farming would help families maintain food supplies even when maize yields were low.
The Ministry encouraged farmers to plant winter crops such as spinach, cabbage, onions, carrots and peas to improve household food supply and nutrition.
“With maize harvest expected to be low, winter farming becomes very important. Families must continue producing food to support their households,” she said.
The ministry said proper post-harvest handling and winter production would be key in helping the country manage food supplies in the months ahead.
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