Eswatini recorded a 27% increase in maize production in 2022

By Khulile Thwala

The Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza has revealed how the country has realised an increase of 27 per cent in maize production in the 2022 harvest.

This he mentioned when presenting his preamble before the ministry’s portfolio committee on Wednesday in Parliament. This, he said, was one of the key highlights the agriculture sector made progress in last year.

According to Mabuza, the annual assessment revealed that 127 315 metric tonnes were achieved during the season while 100 042 metric tonnes were harvested in the previous one.

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“This brings us closer to the national requirement of 140 000 metric tonnes. There was increased production of key vegetable vegetables by farmers to the extent that we were able to suspend imports of green pepper, butternuts, and chillies in the last two months of the year. These are important milestones in the quest to achieve food security,” said the minister.

He further highlighted the achievement realised through NAMBoard, which includes the establishment of the E10 million revolving fund for vegetable farmers to access affordable credit.

This fund is being administered by Eswatini Bank and will also draw support from the small-scale enterprises’ loan guarantee (SSELG) scheme at the central bank.

On livestock production, the ministry has worked hard to maintain the country’s integrity in export markets by preventing trans-boundary anima animal diseases like foot and mouth disease, African swine fever, and Avian influenza.