MBABANE – The Minister for Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, has urged farmers to intensify maize production as government accelerates its push towards food sovereignty through the EWADE-administered Hamba Ubuye programme.
Speaking at Ntfonjeni on Wednesday during the official launch of the 2025/26 planting season, where he distributed inputs to 14 farmers of the Ntfonjeni Cluster, Tshawuka said Eswatini must increase local maize output to avoid ‘exporting money and jobs’ to South Africa, which remains the country’s primary source of imported staples.
Tshawuka emphasised that food sovereignty is now a national imperative, calling for more Eswatini Nation Land to be put under cultivation. With early rains creating ideal planting conditions, he urged farmers to take advantage of the favourable season and ‘make every hectare count.’
Government has injected E14 million into the Hamba Ubuye Revolving Fund to expand participation in this season, enabling EWADE to disburse inputs valued at over E18 million to 248 qualifying farmers, 192 men, 56 women and 21 youth, who are projected to cultivate 1 861 hectares and harvest 7 444 tonnes of maize. Interestingly, as of the launch date, 147 farmers nationwide had already received inputs worth E11 764 875.10.
In the Hhohho Region, 44 farmers will benefit from support totalling E3 310 782, enabling them to plant 293 hectares and deliver an estimated 1 172 tonnes. Fourteen of these beneficiaries are from the Ntfonjeni cluster, where farmers will plant 90 hectares and are expected to produce 360 tonnes.
Tshawuka highlighted the critical role of timely seed, fertiliser and chemical delivery, noting that agriculture is ‘a race against time’ where delays compromise yields. He acknowledged EWADE’s Commercial Maize Project team, ministry extension officers and input suppliers for ensuring early and adequate distribution of inputs this season.
He also urged the National Maize Corporation (NMC) to accompany farmers throughout the season and reminded growers that NMC, as the country’s mandated maize market authority, must receive their harvests to safeguard national reserves.
Since the programme’s inception in 2021, Hamba Ubuye has shown sustained growth in both farmer participation and maize output. In its first season, 17 farmers planted 172.5 hectares and harvested 594 tonnes following input support worth E839 074, of which 92 per cent was recovered.
The following season, 73 farmers produced 1 362 tonnes from 545 hectares after receiving inputs valued at E4 968 027, with an 88 percent recovery rate.
The 2023/24 season expanded further to 106 farmers who harvested 2,148 tonnes from 856 hectares with inputs worth E6 493 517, supported by an 89 per cent recovery.
The most recent 2024/25 season recorded 206 farmers cultivating 1,567.78 hectares and producing 3 530.17 tonnes following input disbursements of E14 014 983.45 and a 78 per cent recovery.
Tshawuka said the programme’s upward trajectory demonstrates its strategic role in reducing Eswatini’s E2 billion annual food import bill and strengthening domestic value chains. He challenged Ntfonjeni to reclaim its historic reputation for agricultural abundance and contribute significantly to national grain reserves.
“Raising yields is fundamental if we are to reduce imports, retain capital in the country and build an agricultural sector capable of generating jobs and export earnings,” he said, as he officially declared the 2025/26 maize season open.
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