MATSAPHA— The National Maize Corporation (NMC) rewarded outstanding farmers with farming inputs valued at E62 000 to mark its 40th anniversary.
Not only did it end there, NMC hosted Farmers Awards to celebrate outperformers of the industry. This is part of NMC’s role as a critical institution in Eswatini’s food sovereignty framework. It also ensures that the local grain sector grows in strength, it was said.
The NMC Chief Executive Officer, Mavela Vilane, said in the four decades of their existence, the sector is on an ongoing progress, collaborating with farmers and policy-makers.
Vilane said their operations would not be present without the farmers. He highlighted that NMC has evolved into a key national partner in agricultural development through contract farming initiatives, input subsidy programmes, farmer training, tractor hire services, and guaranteed markets designed to stabilise prices and reduce risk for growers.
Vilane said the 2025 production season delivered substantial gains across the board. According to Vilane, the top 10 maize farmers collectively delivered 1,172.6 metric tonnes (MT), up from 916 MT recorded in 2023, an increase of 28%. National maize deliveries also rose significantly, moving from 5,550.3 MT supplied by 1,259 farmers last season to 7,970 MT supplied by 1,745 farmers this year. Participation in bean production grew as well, with output rising from 94.79 MT to 352.884 MT, reflecting increased interest and improved yield performance in legumes.
Vilane, however, emphasised that despite the notable improvements, the country continues to underproduce relative to national demand.
Eswatini requires approximately 140,000 MT of maize and 7,000 MT of beans annually but currently produces only about half of those requirements. The shortfalls are met through costly imports, and the CEO stressed that the funds spent on foreign grain could instead be retained locally if productivity continues to increase.
This year’s awards placed strong emphasis on efficiency and high-yield farming practices. Only farmers achieving at least 8 MT per hectare qualified for productivity-based prizes, aligning with NMC’s goal of promoting sustainable, high-output production systems that support long-term food sovereignty. The CEO stated that rewarding productivity over volume encourages farmers to adopt advanced techniques, improve land management, and utilise modern agronomic practices.
Several special categories were also presented. These included the Female Farmer Award, recognising outstanding performance by women in grain production; the Best Bean Farmer Award, acknowledging exceptional output and quality in legumes; and a youth-focused award aimed at encouraging young farmers who achieved high productivity in maize. The Most Consistent Farmer Award went to a producer who has maintained a place in the Top 10 since the programme began.
NMC stated that the 40-year celebration comes at a time when agricultural transformation is accelerating globally, and Eswatini must continue strengthening local capacity to ensure greater resilience. Vilane added that continued investment in inputs, mechanisation, training, and market access will be essential for building on the gains recorded this year.
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