MAIZE PROFITS DECREASE BY 27%

Mbabane - Maize was also not spared in the challenging period as profits generated from both local and outbound sells contracted by 27 per cent. Maize profits stood at E3 695 000 in 2021 and decreased to E2 695 000 in 2022.

This was mentioned by Lwazi Mamba the Executive Director of Eswatini National Agricultural Union (ESNAU) during the horticulture innovation platform workshop. Mamba said the decline in profits was because the supply chains were disrupted, mainly because of the shortage of farming inputs.  He said inefficient tractor hire service and shortage of implements plus the high cost of electricity further contributed to the performance.

“Some farmers apply less fertilisers and chemicals so compromise yields and quality standards. Double application of fertilisers due to excessive rains,” he said. The executive director added that the regulated price review processes was not responsive. And profit margin were low as they stood at E2 695/ha for maize, cotton E264/ha and BT cotton E2 640.

Mamba said the delayed payments to farmers for produce, reduced profitability thus farmers fail to pay loans on time. “Most farmers exit farming, arable land remain unproductive or converted to non-agricultural activities, which contributes to high reliance on imports for food and agriculture become less attractive to financiers,” he said. When asked how the performance of the sector could increase in order for Eswatini to reduce imports, he said we need to utilize idle arable land and produce at scale and protect arable land by developing policy.

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