TRACTOR HIRE SERVICE ACHIEVES 95% EFFICIENCY

MBABANE – NMC has announced the successful conclusion of the government tractor hire subsidy programme for the 2024/2025 ploughing season, achieving an impressive 95 per cent service delivery efficiency. Farmers across the country have been commended for their active participation in the programme, which significantly boosted agricultural productivity despite challenging weather conditions. According to a the National Maize Corporation (NMC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mavela Vilane, who issued the statement on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, said the programme utilised its entire E10 million budget, covering 55 555 subsidised tractor hours and exceeded expectations by delivering 58 862 tractor hours. This surplus of 3 306 hours reflects the programme’s commitment to serving the needs of Eswatini’s farmers.

Highlighted

The NMC highlighted that while the subsidy has concluded for this season, the tractor hire service will remain available at the full rate of E580 per tractor hour until the next budget allocation. The exceptional efficiency of the programme demonstrates its success in supporting farmers and advancing the country’s food security goals.
Vilane further expressed government’s sympathy with farmers for all the challenges they faced this ploughing season, including extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, storms, late rainfall and flooding among others.

Resilience

The CEO noted that despite these difficulties, as government, they commend the farmers’ resilience and encourage continued grain production towards national staple food sovereignty, particularly for farmers with irrigation systems. “Additionally, we urge farmers to explore opportunities in bean farming as the bean planting season approaches,” he said.Vilane further encouraged farmers to work closely with extension officers at their nearest Rural Development Areas (RDAs). He said these officers are equipped to provide support and guidance in all farming activities.

Support

He said the corporation appreciates the continued support and understanding of all stakeholders as they work together to create a vibrant grain industry production for national demand, reserves and export markets.Programmes such as the tractor hire service are part of government’s efforts to achieve food sovereignty. Eswatini, like many other nations, faces a significant challenge in achieving food sovereignty due to factors such as climate change, economic dependency and limited agricultural diversification.

Sustainable

However, the country has made strides toward enhancing food security through initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices and empower local communities.
Food sovereignty emphasises the right of communities to produce and access healthy, culturally appropriate food through ecologically sound and sustainable methods.
This concept contrasts with food security, which is often focused on the availability of food rather than the control over production systems.

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