MBABANE – In this current farming season (2026/27), the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) will not onboard new farmers into the Hamba Ubuye Revolving Fund.
The decision comes as the fund continues to expand its contribution to maize production and household livelihoods across Eswatini.
During the 2024/25 season, the Hamba Ubuye Commercial Maize Project supported 206 smallholder farmers across the country’s four regions, including 160 men, 46 women and 20 youth. Farmers harvested 3 813.06 metric tonnes of maize, of which 3 530.17 metric tonnes were sold.
Shiselweni and Manzini were among the strongest-performing regions, recording actual yields of 1 441.73 metric tonnes and 1 514.99 metric tonnes respectively, generating sales of E8.67 million and E8.65 million.
The programme has since continued to grow. This season, EWADE’s Commercial Maize Project supported 191 farmers cultivating 1 424 hectares across Eswatini. Farmers have so far harvested 1 291 hectares despite challenging weather conditions in parts of the country.
The project is expected to produce 5 697 metric tonnes of maize this season — the highest production recorded under the initiative to date.
Since its inception, the programme has grown from supporting 17 farmers cultivating 172 hectares to nearly 200 farmers farming more than 1 400 hectares, reflecting the expansion of the fund as an agricultural production and household-income support mechanism.
However, EWADE says financial limitations will constrain the fund’s reach during the 2026/27 season.
EWADE Communications Manager Nokwazi Hlophe said no new farmers would be admitted to the fund during the coming farming season. “Due to budgetary constraints, there will be no new farmers onboarded into the Hamba Ubuye Revolving Fund during the 2026/27 farming season. Returning farmers will be considered subject to the availability of funds, the applicable fund policies and their repayment performance,” Hlophe said.
She said even returning beneficiaries should expect assistance to be determined by the resources available.
“In view of the limited budget, farming inputs will be allocated according to the funds available. Farmers should therefore understand that the level of assistance may be limited during this season,” Hlophe said.
The fund operates on a revolving model, making repayment by beneficiaries central to its ability to support subsequent farming seasons.
EWADE has therefore appealed to farmers with outstanding loans to settle their obligations, while commending those who have maintained good repayment records.
“We sincerely appreciate farmers who have honoured their loan obligations. We encourage those with outstanding loans to fulfil their repayment commitments because timely repayment is critical to sustaining the Revolving Fund and enabling continued support to farmers,” Hlophe said.
The funding constraints coincide with concerns over potentially dry conditions associated with El Niño, prompting EWADE to urge farmers to strengthen climate-smart farming and water conservation measures.
Hlophe said farmers should take steps to protect their production against possible water shortages and prolonged dry spells.
“Farmers are encouraged to conserve available water resources, improve soil moisture management and adopt appropriate production practices that can reduce the impact of dry spells and water shortages,” she said.
Despite the funding limitations, EWADE said the continued growth of the Hamba Ubuye programme demonstrates the potential of structured agricultural financing to expand smallholder production, strengthen household incomes and contribute to national food sovereignty.
Farmers requiring further information have been advised to contact their respective EWADE Cluster Managers or visit EWADE offices.
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