Mbabane – Loans amounting to more than E4.9 million have already been approved under the national Mechanisation Programme, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Agriculture and Standard Bank Eswatini on Tuesday.
The MoU paves the way for the rollout of mechanisation support intended to address equipment shortages and improve agricultural productivity across the country. The programme is being implemented through the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund (EADF) and the National Maize Corporation (NMC), in partnership with the United States Embassy, John Deere and Standard Bank.
Under the initiative, 250 mechanisation packages will be made available to NMC and Private Tractor Owners (PTOs) over the next five years. The equipment will be delivered in tranches of 50 packages per year, with the first batch already in the country.
Each package consists of a tractor with various implements, including selected combine harvesters. Annually, 10 packages will be allocated to NMC, while 40 will go to private tractor owners.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka said the approval of over E4.9 million in loans showed strong uptake and confidence in the programme. The Minister added that the financing model reduces the cost burden on beneficiaries while supporting the sustainability of the initiative.
All beneficiaries will be contracted to NMC to improve coordination, efficiency and service delivery. The programme is expected to enhance access to mechanised services and support farmers as the country works towards improved food production and food security.
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