EADF TO DISPURSE E7.2m TO BOOST COMMERCIAL FARMING

MANZINI - The Eswatini Agricultural Development Fund (EADF) is set to inject E7.2 million into the local agribusiness sector in the coming days, further strengthening support for commercial farmers across the country.

EADF Director Nokwazi Mamba confirmed the development, revealing that the fund is currently processing applications worth E7.2 million, which will be disbursed shortly to qualifying farmers.

This funding wave follows the disbursement of E4.1 million in February, just months after the fund was officially launched in November last year.

Mamba made her presentation during the Ministry of Agriculture engagement with its parastatals and the ministry’s portfolio committee held on Monday. The session highlighted key developments across various initiatives, including progress on the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund and the newly launched Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Marketing Project (SAPEMP), among others.

It also presented the portfolio committee members an opportunity to ask questions for clarity on various operations, a conversation that is key to strengthening transparency and accountability in the sector.

Other parastatals represented include the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE), Eswatini Dairy Board, (EDB), National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), National Maize Corporation (NMC) and Eswatini Cotton Board.

Expansion

“There is clearly a great appetite for the EADF facility. We are seeing increasing demand from farmers, especially those engaged in commercial agriculture. The fund is proving to be a crucial enabler for expansion and sustainability in the sector,” Mamba stated.

The EADF, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, was created to address the funding challenges often faced by commercial farmers. The initiative aims to improve access to affordable finance, drive agricultural productivity and promote agribusiness as a viable sector in Eswatini.

According to information contained in the EADF brochure, interested farmers must meet specific requirements to qualify for funding.

The fund finances a variety of needs including infrastructure, farm equipment, livestock, working capital and value-addition projects.

The loan amounts are determined based on the project’s scale and viability, with repayment terms tailored to suit seasonal farming cycles. Successful applicants can also benefit from technical support and mentorship through strategic partnerships between the EADF and other agricultural stakeholders.

As the country looks to diversify its economy, the agriculture sector has been identified as a key growth driver. The EADF is one of several recent interventions aimed at stimulating investment and improving resilience in food production.

Mamba encouraged more commercial farmers to take advantage of the fund, noting that the application process is straightforward and accessible via the EADF website: www.eadf.co.sz.

To access the Eswatini Agricultural Development Fund, farmers must:
w     Be engaged in commercial farming or agribusiness.
w     Submit a completed application form.
w     Present a detailed business plan outlining the agricultural project.
w     Demonstrate financial viability and repayment ability.

Funding can be used for:
w     Farm infrastructure and equipment.
w     Livestock purchases.
w     Working capital needs.
w     Agro-processing and value addition.

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