MBABANE: Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka has announced the start of Eswatini’s 2026/27 grain ploughing and planting season, together with the rollout of the Farm Input Support Programme.
The announcement was made during a press briefing on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
Government has allocated E65 million to the programme, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the National Maize Corporation. 
The programme is intended to help farmers access quality agricultural inputs while reducing production costs, particularly for smallholder farmers.
The support packages will include:
- Certified maize seed.
- Basal fertiliser.
- Top dressing fertiliser.
- Approved herbicides.
- Appropriate pesticides where required.
- Technical extension support throughout the production cycle.
The eligibility requirements introduced last year will remain in place.
The criteria were introduced to ensure that the programme benefits farmers who meet the requirements and are most in need of government support.
Tshauka said the system had produced positive results and would continue during the 2026/27 cropping season.
Farmers can begin applying from Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
New registration application
The National Maize Corporation is introducing a mobile application to make registration easier for farmers.
The application will allow farmers to register and access programme services without repeatedly travelling to Regional Development Areas.
The new system is intended to reduce delays and make it possible for farmers to apply from wherever they are.
The NMC has advised farmers to complete the registration process before applying for input support.
The programme will continue accepting applications until the allocated budget is exhausted.
Rising input costs
Tshauka said international conflicts involving the United States, Iran and Israel had affected the agriculture sector in a manner similar to the disruption experienced during the Russia Ukraine war.
He said the conflicts had contributed to fuel price volatility and disrupted the supply chain for fertiliser and other agricultural inputs.
Because of the increased cost of production, the Ministry has adjusted the contributions required from farmers under the subsidy programme for the 2026/27 season.
Government will continue working with farmers to ensure that the support package remains accessible despite rising input costs.
The Minister called on households, young people, women, commercial farmers, farmer associations and community groups to take part in the planting season.
“I therefore call upon every able household, youth, women, commercial farmers, farmer associations and community groups to actively participate in this year’s planting season.”
He also urged farmers to make full use of available productive land.
“Let us utilise every available hectare of productive land.”
