BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE— The Kingdom of Eswatini is making a decisive move to restore balance in its horticulture markets, with the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) introducing a data-driven system aimed at ending the cycle of oversupply, falling prices and unstable farmer incomes.
The mandatory registration of all horticulture farmers on the Eswatini Horticulture Information System (EHIS) is central to this reform and is being implemented in line with the provisions of the NAMBoard Act No. 13 of 1985, which empowers the board to regulate scheduled agricultural products and require producer registration.
The registration aims to give NAMBoard credible, real-time data on who is producing what, in what quantities, and when the produce will reach the market — information that will be used to guide planting schedules, prevent market gluts, stabilize prices and ensure farmers produce according to actual market demand.
Speaking on Market View on Eswatini TV on May 4, 2026, NAMBoard Chief Executive Bhekizwe Maziya explained that the long-standing problem in the sector has not been poor production, but poor coordination.
“Farmers produce enough for the whole year, but release it into the market within three months. That creates oversupply, prices fall, and everyone is shocked — including us as the regulator,” he said.
Through EHIS, NAMBoard will collect real-time data on planting patterns across the country. This will allow the board to advise farmers on how to spread supply throughout the year, avoiding the seasonal oversupply that erodes incomes.
Maziya emphasized that NAMBoard does not set prices, but farmer production patterns directly affect how the market behaves. By improving scheduling through accurate data, price volatility can be reduced and incomes stabilized.
A significant feature of the system is its connection to import regulation. With reliable data, NAMBoard will be able to restrict import permits for commodities that are already sufficiently supplied locally. Importers will be required to prove they have first sourced produce from registered farmers before they are allowed to import any additional quantities. If the proof does not come from a registered farmer, it will not count.
This approach effectively turns buyers and importers into partners in enforcing farmer registration, as their own permits will depend on sourcing from registered local producers.
Despite registration being mandatory under the Act, Maziya said the board is taking an incentive-based approach rather than penalizing non-compliance. Farmers who choose not to register will not face punishment, but they will miss out on the market access and protections created by the system.
Importantly, NAMBoard is currently conducting nationwide farmer workshops to educate horticulture producers about EHIS registration. These sessions are being held across all regions to ensure farmers understand how the system works, its benefits, and how it will improve market access, planning and long-term sustainability of the sector. Each workshop provides hands-on guidance on the registration process and data requirements.
At the same time, NAMBoard has issued a public notice requiring all importers, exporters and transiters of scheduled agricultural products to update their records between May 6 and May 31, 2026. Failure to comply will result in non-renewal of permits.
Permit holders must submit updated Know Your Customer documents, including valid trading licenses, certificates of incorporation (for companies), Form J, memorandum and articles of association, national identity documents for directors and traders, tax identification numbers, and updated contact details.
The EHIS will also improve market transparency by enabling NAMBoard to direct buyers straight to farms where produce is available, shortening the value chain and encouraging direct market access for farmers.
The rollout of EHIS signals a structural shift in Eswatini’s agricultural governance — where data, coordination and market insight guide production decisions.
For farmers long caught in the cycle of overproduction and falling prices, NAMBoard says the new system offers a pathway to predictable markets, fairer prices and more sustainable livelihoods.
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(Courtesy Pic)
