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The 2025/26 national budget is planting seeds of growth for Eswatini’s agriculture sector, with Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg announcing a massive E170 million injection during the 12th Parliament’s Budget Speech on Friday.
Smallholder farmers are set to reap the benefits as E65 million has been allocated to the National Maize Corporation (NMC) for the Input Subsidy and Tractor Hire Programme, aimed at increasing production and improving access to essential farming resources.
Another E40 million will go toward supporting commercial maize farming, while the Hamba Ubuye project receives an additional E14 million to expand its footprint.
To top it off, E10 million will be added to the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) to ensure continued growth in the sector.
The cherry on top? A generous grant of E51.5 million from the Republic of China (Taiwan) will fund the construction of two new grain silos in Eswatini, boosting storage capacity and food security.
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Minister Rijkenberg also expressed gratitude to Taiwan for supporting the establishment of the Aquaculture Research and Production Centre in Malkerns.
The centre is set to transform fish production in Eswatini by introducing innovative systems, producing fingerlings for farmers, and paving the way for the commercialisation of fish farming nationwide.
With this level of investment and international support, Eswatini’s agriculture sector is poised for a bumper year.
Members of the public welcome this news with excitement and renewed hope for 2025.
This is what they had to say:
1. Sipho Dlamini, 43, Smallholder Farmer (Luve): “Finally, some real support for us small farmers! The Input Subsidy will go a long way in helping us access affordable resources. If this means fewer struggles to hire tractors during planting season, I’m all for it!”
2. Thandeka Motsa, 37, Commercial Maize Farmer (Big Bend): “The E40 million for commercial maize farming couldn’t have come at a better time. With this boost, we can expand operations and meet the growing demand for local produce. It’s about time we scale up!”
3. Bheki Simelane, 56, Fish Farmer (Malkerns): “The Aquaculture Centre is a game-changer! I’ve struggled to find quality fingerlings for years. Now that they’ll be readily available, fish farming might finally become a profitable business for many of us.”
4. Gugu Nkambule, 29, Aspiring Farmer (Siteki): “The top-up to the Agriculture Development Fund is exciting news! As a young farmer trying to start up, I’ve been hoping for more opportunities like this to access funding. This could open doors for new entrants like me.”
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5. Jabulani Mhlanga, 64, Veteran Farmer (Nhlangano): “Two new grain silos? Brilliant! We’ve lost crops in the past because of poor storage facilities. This means less wastage and more stability for farmers like me who depend on maize production.”
6. Nokukhanya Zwide, 50, Community Leader (Hlathikulu): “I’m thrilled for our smallholder farmers. These investments show that the government is listening. We just hope the implementation will be timely, and the support will reach those who need it most.”
