By Phiwa Sikhondze
The Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (EWADE) has officially announced the agro-dealers shortlisted for the disbursement of farm inputs under the Commercial Maize Project – Hamba Ubuye.
This initiative is a critical step in ensuring the successful distribution of essential inputs such as seeds and fertilizers to farmers, furthering Eswatini’s efforts toward achieving food security.
The announcement was made by EWADE’s Acting CEO, Patrick Nyamane, during a pivotal meeting held at the George Hotel in Manzini. The event brought together key players in Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
Nyamane emphasized the significance of the agro-dealers role in the project, which supports the government’s mission to make Eswatini a food-secure nation while empowering emaSwati to venture into commercial maize farming.
“This meeting is pivotal in supporting Eswatini’s agricultural sector, as agro-dealers play a key role in ensuring the successful distribution of inputs to farmers. Our goal is not just to grow maize, but to secure Eswatini’s future by creating sustainable farming opportunities for our people,” Nyamane said.
EWADE has selected several agro-dealers to ensure that farmers across the country have access to the necessary inputs to succeed. The agro-dealers for the 2024/25 maize season include:
- Afritool (Pty) Ltd
- Eswatini Agricultural Supplies (Pty) Ltd
- Farm Solutions Investments (Pty) Ltd
- Triomf Swaziland (Pty) Ltd
- Saewon Investments (Pty) Ltd
- Claret Investments (Pty) Ltd
- Capstore (Pty) Ltd
- Swaziland Procurement Agency (Pty) Ltd
- Farm Chemicals Limited (Pty) Ltd
- TWK Swaziland Limited (Pty)
The Commercial Maize Project is a critical initiative for addressing Eswatini’s current maize deficit. The country’s demand for maize stands at 140,000 metric tons per year, with local production falling short. Through this project, EWADE aims to reduce the need for imports and increase domestic production, helping to make Eswatini a food-secure nation.
“This project is not just about improving maize production—it’s about building a sustainable future for emaSwati farmers,” Nyamane stated. He went on to highlight how partnerships with agro-dealers will be instrumental in driving success, emphasizing the timely delivery of inputs as a key factor.
Nyamane stressed the importance of timely and accurate input delivery to farmers to avoid disruptions in production cycles.
“Our agro-dealers are essential to this process. By ensuring the inputs are available on time and at fair prices, they allow farmers to focus on what they do best—growing our food,” he said.
The Commercial Maize Project also promotes accountability within the farming community. EWADE expects agro-dealers to maintain transparent records and ensure farmers receive the best support possible.
“It is through collaboration and accountability that we will ensure the success of this project,” Nyamane added.