By By Siphesihle Dlamini
The Government of Eswatini, through Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka, has announced the continuation of the Input Subsidy Programme for the 2025/26 farming season.
This initiative demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening national food security and supporting the livelihoods of farmers throughout the Kingdom.
Payments for the subsidy will begin on Monday, September 1, 2025, and will continue until September 30, 2025 or until the allocated budget is fully exhausted, whichever occurs first. Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this window to secure their inputs in time for the planting season.
The subsidy packages for key crops remain consistent with previous seasons. For maize and beans, the total cost of inputs is E12,000, with the government and the farmer each contributing E6,000.
For sorghum, the total input cost is E6,400, split evenly between the government and the farmer, with each paying E3,200. Regarding the tractor hire scheme, the rates will remain unchanged. The government will continue to subsidise E180 per tractor hour, while farmers pay E400.
However, once the subsidy budget is depleted, farmers will be expected to pay the full cost of E580 per tractor hour.
Farmers can make payments through the same platforms as before, including Eswatini Bank, MoMo, and Eswatini Mobile’s e-Mali, ensuring ease and continuity in the payment process.
In response to public concerns that the subsidy program has disproportionately benefited non-vulnerable farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, working with the National Maize Corporation, has revised the eligibility criteria. Some of these changes are effective immediately, while others will be phased in overtime.
Firstly, farmers must now formally apply to participate in the program. They are also required to demonstrate that they have conducted soil analyses by providing soil test results not older than three years or proof that soil samples have been submitted for laboratory testing.
This measure encourages responsible and informed farming practices.
Farmers with a stable income, defined as a gross monthly earning exceeding E12,000, will no longer be eligible for the subsidy. Additionally, the allocation of input packages will be based on the suitability of the agro-ecological zones where the farmers operate, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and appropriately.
Farmers who are already benefiting from other government farming programs, such as Hamba Ubuye, will not qualify for the subsidy to avoid duplication of benefits.
The program will also limit participation to one beneficiary per nuclear family, broadening access to more households. A new graduation policy has been introduced, where farmers can only remain in the subsidy program for three years. After this period, they must graduate to allow other farmers to benefit. This rule takes effect starting with the 2025/26 season.
On a positive note, the program now includes farmers with as little as half a hectare of land. These smallholder farmers can participate and will pay for input packages proportional to their land size, either 0.5 hectares or 1 hectare.
Furthermore, the payment schedule for bean inputs has been adjusted. Farmers will no longer need to pay for beans in September but will have a short payment window in January to accommodate the crop’s cultivation cycle.
To promote responsible use of the subsidy, farmers are encouraged to register with their nearest Rural Development Area Extension Officers before making payments. This registration will help ensure farmers receive the necessary guidance and support tailored to their farming needs.
The continuation and refinement of the Input Subsidy Programme highlight the government’s strategic focus on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and supporting farmers’ economic well-being.
By tightening eligibility criteria and encouraging sustainable farming practices, the government seeks to maximise the program’s impact and foster a more equitable and productive agricultural sector across Eswatini.
