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INPUTS CONTRIBUTION FOR FARMERS REDUCED

29/07/2022 09:45:00 Yussuf Mohammed

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MBABANE – The Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the National Maize Corporation (NMC) to ensure that the nation gets farm inputs at reduced rates this ploughing season.

Unlike in previous years when farmers contributed 50 per cent, they will this year contribute 35 per cent and government will settle the rest. The Minister of Agriculture, Jabulani Mabuza, disclosed yesterday during a media briefing: “In preparation for the upcoming ploughing season, the Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is pleased to announce that even this year, farmers will get inputs at subsidised rates. The ministry, through the National Maize Corporation (NMC), shall be responsible for the programme.”

Fuel

Minister Mabuza said it was not an easy task compared to other years due to the ever escalating prices in the farm inputs market and fuel caused by conflict. However, he said the ministry had been able to assist farmers access the required inputs. Payments for the input subsidy starts on August 1, 2022. The agriculture minister said as a result of the high input costs, those who wished to be part of the programme were expected to pay as soon as possible. He said this was because the closing of payments shall be done when the target had been reached or at the end of October 2022, whichever came first.

The payments shall be done at EswatiniBank and Eswatini Posts and Telecommunication Corporation (EPTC). The average projected cost for the packages is approximately E14 000 for maize, E12 000 for beans and E7 000 for sorghum. These packages will cover an area equivalent to one hectare. It is important for farmers to note that this offer shall only apply to the current season.
Next year, farmers are expected to contribute the normal 50 per cent. Also, farmers can pay up to three hectares maximum compared to the one hectare maximum that was used in the past years.

PRICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Maize – E4 900 (farmer) and E9 100 (government)
2. Beans – E4 200 (farmers) and E7 800 (govt)
3. Sorghum – E2 450 (farmer) and E4 550 (govt)

As a result of the fuel price increase, the tractor hour will cost E300 from E270.