Input Subsidy
The Input Subsidy Programme remains a key national intervention aimed at empowering small-scale farmers, strengthening agricultural productivity, and safeguarding Eswatini’s food security. The programme subsidizes small-scale farmers on up to one (1) hectare of land by cushioning 50% of their input costs. Supported commodities are only limited to white maize, sugar beans and sorghum. NMC continues to work closely with government, farmers, and partners to ensure transparent implementation and timely service delivery.
Input Subsidy Component
| INPUTS | MAIZE | BEANS | SORGHUM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilizer (37) | 6 x 50kg | 3 x 50kg | 2 x 50kg |
| LAN | 4 x 50kg | 2 x 50kg | 2 x 50kg |
| Seeds | 25kg | 70kg | 10kg |
| Herbicides or | Any choice | Any choice | Any choice |
| Pesticides | Any choice | Any choice | Any choice |
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure that the programme benefits its intended target group, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with NMC, established the following eligibility requirements:
- A farmer must submit an application to be part of the program
- Must have access to land of up to 1 hectare
- Soils test results will form part of the application process.
- Farmers with stable income, earning more than E12,000 per month will not be eligible to participate in the program.
- The allocation of the different input packages will be based on suitability of agro-ecological zones.
- Farmers benefiting in other government farming programs will not be eligible to benefit under the subsidy program
- Subsidy will strictly target one beneficiary per nuclear family
- A farmer can only remain in the program for 3 years, after that he/she is expected to graduate to other developmental funds and give way for others to participate in the subsidy
Registration Process
- Farmers complete an application form obtainable from Rural Development Areas (RDAs),Tinkhundla centres, NMC depots, website and from extension officers.
- Completed forms are submitted to Vetting Committee or Extension Officer for initial assessment.
- Assessed forms submitted to NMC office by Extension Officer for verification purpose
- All applicants receive an SMS notification indicating whether their application was successful or not.
- Successful applicants proceed to pay their required contribution.
- Inputs are then collected from approved agro-dealers.
Payment Options
Farmer contributions can be paid through:
- Eswatini Bank (all branches)
- MTN MOMO Pay, using retail codes. The reference must include the farmer’s ID number and preferred input (e.g. 85041561001785 – Maize).
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The reference must include the farmer’s ID number and preferred input. Banking details are provided by NMC.
Input Collection
After payment, farmers collect their inputs from approved agro-dealers across the country. NMC publishes an updated list of approved agro-dealers annually.
Documents required at collection:
- Original payment receipt or NMC confirmation letter (for EFT payments)
- National ID