Local horticulture farmers received E21 million in payments during the previous financial year through the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard), highlighting the income-generating potential of connecting local agricultural production to reliable markets.
The payments reflect the value of market access for farmers, particularly in a sector where production decisions are closely linked to demand for fresh produce.
NAMBoard is strengthening this connection through the Eswatini Horticulture Information System (EHIS) and its Area Planted reports, which provide information on the commodities being planted and compare production levels with estimated market demand.
NAMBoard’s Sydney Dladla said EHIS is helping farmers understand market requirements and identify opportunities before deciding what to plant.
“The EHIS platform helps farmers align their production with market demand and identify crop opportunities. 
This allows farmers to have information that can guide them on what to produce and the quantities required by the market,” Dladla said.
The system gives farmers and other stakeholders a clearer picture of the country’s horticulture production, including what is being planted, the quantities involved and whether these are aligned with what the market requires.
Dladla said access to such information can help farmers make more informed commercial decisions before committing resources to production.
“Farmers need to know what the market requires so that they can make informed decisions on what to plant.
The information helps reduce the risk of producing crops where there is limited demand while creating opportunities around commodities that the market needs,” he said.
Instead of producing crops without a clear understanding of the available market, farmers can use information on demand to guide decisions on the type and quantity of commodities to plant.
This market-led approach can reduce the risk of overproduction in commodities where demand is limited, while supporting greater availability of crops that are required by the market.
The E21 million paid to local horticulture farmers during the previous financial year also demonstrates the income that can be generated when farmers are successfully connected to buyers.
For small-scale and emerging farmers in particular, reliable markets can provide an important foundation for turning agricultural production into a sustainable source of income.
The economic impact also extends beyond the farms where the crops are produced.
Higher levels of horticultural activity create demand for agricultural inputs and services, while transportation, marketing and distribution businesses also benefit as produce moves from farms to consumers and other buyers.
NAMBoard’s market-linkage role therefore places both production and demand at the centre of efforts to strengthen the local horticulture industry.
A consistent supply of quality locally produced vegetables could also provide domestic farmers with greater opportunities to compete with imported produce, potentially retaining a larger share of agricultural spending within Eswatini.
However, sustained growth in the sector will depend on farmers being able to respond to market requirements.
Producing the right commodities, maintaining quality and supplying consistently are important considerations for farmers seeking to build lasting relationships with buyers.
The availability of market information can support these decisions by giving farmers a better understanding of where opportunities exist before resources are committed to production.
The E21 million paid during the financial year consequently represents more than the value of horticultural produce purchased.
It points to the income that can flow to local farmers when production is connected to identifiable demand, while also supporting economic activity along the wider agricultural value chain
