SIGANGENI – The Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise led a senior delegation to Hamba Ubuye farmers in the Sigangeni, Sicunusa and Gege clusters as part of ongoing monitoring under the Commercial Maize Project.
The visit, conducted this week, brought together the CEO and members of the Executive Management Team to assess crop conditions, engage farmers directly and evaluate the performance of the Hamba Ubuye Revolving Fund.
EWADE is currently supporting 191 farmers across Eswatini’s four regions with inputs under the Commercial Maize Project. The programme covers 1,827 hectares, with 1,701.40 hectares already planted. Government has invested E13.9 million into the initiative.
In the Manzini region, 66 farmers have planted 675.2 hectares, receiving E5.79 million. Shiselweni has the largest share, with 74 farmers cultivating 688.5 hectares supported by E4.90 million. Lubombo accounts for 13 farmers on 67.5 hectares with E575,129.30 disbursed, while Hhohho has 38 farmers covering 270.2 hectares backed by E2.54 million.
During the tour, the leadership team interacted with farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell and heatwave experienced earlier this year. A February 2026 assessment pointed to a projected national yield loss of 26 percent, with the Ntfonjeni cluster in Hhohho recording the highest estimated losses at 35 percent.
Despite these setbacks, farmers in Sigangeni, Sicunusa and Gege reported that they had continued planting and implementing mitigation measures to safeguard production and maintain their obligations under the revolving fund.
Figures presented during the visit show that 78 percent of allocated loans have been recovered. A total of E10.9 million has been repaid out of E14 million disbursed, with 59.7 percent of farmers having fully settled their loans. Only 8.7 percent have not yet started repayment.
The Executive Management Team also reviewed extension services provided to farmers, including crop monitoring, pest and disease control such as Fall Armyworm management, top dressing guidance and bean planting support under collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency.
Closing the visit, the CEO told farmers
“Our farmers remain at the heart of national food security. Despite the challenges, their determination continues to inspire us. We will keep walking this journey with them, ensuring that no farmer is left behind under the Hamba Ubuye model.”
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