As the new farming season begins, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced the details of this year’s Input Subsidy and Tractor Hire Programme, aimed at supporting emaSwati farmers with affordable access to seeds, fertilisers and ploughing services.
The programme, administered by the National Maize Corporation (NMC), continues to be a key driver of food security in Eswatini, especially for vulnerable households.
Despite last season’s challenges, heatwaves, hailstorms and seed shortages, the programme helped thousands of farmers stay on their feet.
This year, government has committed E59.2 million which is anticipated to benefit about 8 130 farmers which is an increase from last season’s 6 079 farmers, ensuring that maize, beans and sorghum remain within reach.
Here’s what farmers need to know:
Subsidy packages and costs
Government will once again split costs with farmers on input packages:
Maize:
- Govt share: 6 000
- Farmer’s share: 6 000
- Total: 12 000
Beans:
- Govt share: 6 000
- Farmer’s share: 6 000
- Total: 12 000
Sorghum:
- Govt share: 3 200
- Farmer’s share: 3 200
- Total: 6 400
Payment period
Payments for input subsidies opened on September 1, 2025. The deadline is set for September 30, 2025 or until the budget runs out, whichever comes first. Bean input payments will have an extra short window in January, since this crop is usually planted later. Payments can be made through EswatiniBank, MoMo (MTN) or e-Mali (Eswatini Mobile).
Tractor hire scheme
Government will continue subsidizing tractor services:
- Farmers pay E400 per tractor hour.
- Government adds E180 per tractor hour.
- Total value per hour equals to E580.
Once the tractor subsidy budget is used up, farmers will have to cover the full E580 per hour.
New eligibility rules
To ensure the programme reaches those who need it most, new criteria are being enforced:
Application required – Farmers must apply to join the programme.
Soil test – Proof of a soil test (within the last three years) or evidence of submitted samples is required.
Income limit – Farmers earning more than E12 000 per month are not eligible.
No double benefits – Farmers already benefitting from other government farming programmes (e.g. Hamba Ubuye) cannot join.
One beneficiary per family – Only one member per nuclear family can benefit.
Graduation rule – Farmers can only remain in the programme for three years before ‘graduating’ to make way for others.
Small farmers welcome – Farmers with as little as 0.5 hectares can now participate.
Agro-ecological suitability – Input packages will be allocated according to regional suitability.
Registration with extension officers
To promote accountability, farmers are encouraged to register with their extension officers (balimisi) before making payments. While this is not yet compulsory, it will become a requirement in future as the system is digitised.
Why this matters
The Input Subsidy and Tractor Hire programme is not just about lowering costs, it is about securing national food security and strengthening households against climate and market shocks. Last year alone, 6 079 farmers benefitted and this year even more will be reached.
The ministry emphasises that early payment and timely preparation are key. Farmers are encouraged to make payments by the end of October to allow for ploughing and planting to finish by December. Minister for Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka closed his statement with encouragement: “We wish all emaSwati a productive ploughing season and a bumper harvest. May the Almighty God bless our efforts and multiply our results a thousand-fold.”
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