By: Nkosiyabusa Nsibande
Eswatini has opened the 2026/27 grain planting season with a E65 million government allocation for agricultural input support, placing food production and the cost of farming firmly among the country’s economic priorities as producers confront higher fuel, fertiliser, and other input costs.
The programme, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Maize Corporation (NMC), is designed to reduce the financial burden on farmers while improving access to productive inputs. The support package covers certified maize seed, basal and top-dressing fertiliser, approved herbicides, applicable pesticides and technical extension services throughout the production cycle.
The financial pressure on farmers has nevertheless increased compared with the previous season. Government said fuel prices have risen from approximately E22 in 2025 to E27.50 in 2026, representing an increase of about 25%. The Ministry also pointed to disruptions in global fertiliser supply linked to international conflicts, developments that have raised the cost of agricultural production and forced adjustments to the amount farmers are required to contribute towards subsidised packages.
Despite these pressures, Government will retain a 50% contribution across all support packages, although the farmer contribution has been revised. For maize and beans, the contribution for one hectare has increased from the previous E6,000 to E6,700, while the half-hectare package will cost E3,350. Sorghum farmers cultivating one hectare will contribute E3,576, compared with the previous E3,200, while the half-hectare package has been set at E1,788.
The increase is significant from a farm-business perspective because higher input costs directly affect the amount of capital producers must commit before generating any income from their crops. For smallholder farmers operating with limited cash flow, the additional contribution comes at a time when transport, mechanisation, and other operating expenses are also being pushed higher by fuel-price increases.
The cost of mechanised land preparation has also moved upward. The statement shows the tractor-hour price increasing from E580 to E607, while the farmer contribution is listed at E400 under the subsidised tractor-hire arrangement. Government said tractors and implements have been mobilised across all four regions through cooperation between the Ministry, NMC and participating private contractors, with the objective of improving farmers’ access to timely land preparation.
For farmers, timing is also becoming an important financial consideration. Government is encouraging early land preparation and planting so producers can make full use of the early rains. This is particularly relevant as unpredictable weather patterns increase the financial risk associated with delayed planting, poor yields and inefficient use of purchased inputs. The Ministry is therefore promoting conservation agriculture, soil testing, moisture conservation, certified seed and integrated pest and disease management as measures that can improve productivity and resilience.
A notable development this season is the digitisation of access to the subsidy programme. Following concerns that farmers were incurring costs through repeated trips to Rural Development Areas and NMC offices, the corporation has introduced a mobile application through which farmers can register and apply for input subsidies and other services. Registration is mandatory, with applications opening on 19 August 2026. Farmers using MTN MoMo will also be able to make payments through the application, while Eswatini Bank and e-Mali from Eswatini Mobile remain available as payment platforms.
The digital platform could reduce some transaction costs associated with accessing government agricultural support, particularly for farmers who previously had to travel to access services. From a broader financial-inclusion perspective, moving applications and payments onto a mobile platform could also make agricultural support more accessible while improving the efficiency of programme administration.
However, the programme remains subject to a finite budget. Government has warned that farmers should only make payments after receiving confirmation that their applications have been approved, with the subsidy programme expected to close once the allocated budget has been exhausted. This makes early registration and application important for farmers seeking to secure support before available funding is depleted.
The economic stakes extend beyond individual farmers. Government has positioned increased agricultural production as part of its strategy to improve household incomes, strengthen food security and reduce Eswatini’s reliance on imported staple foods. Higher domestic production could reduce exposure to international food-price movements and supply disruptions, while stronger farm output would support activity across input suppliers, transporters, financial institutions and other agricultural value chains.
The 2026/27 programme therefore represents more than a seasonal farming intervention. With E65 million in public support, higher farmer contributions and continued pressure from global input markets, the performance of the planting season will provide an important measure of how effectively Eswatini can convert public agricultural spending into higher productivity, stronger rural incomes and greater domestic food security.
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