EWADE disburses over E6.7m
MBABANE – In the current farming season (2023/24) ‘Hamba
Ubuye’ has supported a total of 110 farmers (81 males and 29 females in all 4 regions of the country namely with maize inputs packages.
‘Hamba Ubuye’ refers to E44M Commercial Maize Revolving Fund that was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture last year aimed at increasing commercial maize production in the country.
These packages have assisted the farmers to plant a total area of 978.5ha.
Overall, the EWADE was able to disburse E6 744 375.94 million to support farmers with input packages including maize seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.
This reflects growth from the previous season where only 73 farmers benefitted from the fund and total area of 545.2ha was planted.
Harvested
A total of 1361 tonnes were harvested and sold to NMC. This generated a total revenue of E3 174 125.40 million in the 2022/23 cropping season.
According to EWADE, it is expected that in the current season, farmers will contribute in the national food basket and supply between 5 000 to 7 000 tons to National Maize Corporation (NMC).
Eswatini, like many nations, faces the dual challenge of meeting the ever-growing demand for grain maize while navigating the complexities of agricultural sustainability.
‘Hamba Ubuye’ emerges as a beacon, aiming to address these challenges through innovative farming practices under Eswatini Nation Land (ENL) including clustering of production areas, improve access
to tractor hire services, bulk purchasing, timely access to farming inputs and extension services.
Supports
The Commercial Maize Project/Fund supports the Government of Eswatini through the Ministry of Agriculture to increase maize production and productivity in the country to reduce import of dry maize. The government has mandated the EWADE to facilitate the project and administration of the revolving fund.
It is also worth noting that in the bid to ensure timely and efficient production, Hamba Ubuye has contributed five precision planters worth E650 000 to the Shiselweni Grain Farmers Association.
These famers were chosen as the recipients of this machinery as a means to showing appreciation to all the farmers in the region for successfully repaying their input credit to the fund, while encouraging other regions to emulate the same.