Matsapha – After 40 years of existence, the National Maize Corporation (NMC) shall now be known as the National Food Agency (NFA).
This was said on Friday by the Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka as the repurposed corporation held a double celebration where both excellence and legacy were honoured.
This is a strategic shift, it was said, aimed at positioning Eswatini closer to food self-sufficiency.
While the NFA is 40-years in existence, it has for a decade now been recognising outstanding performers, reflecting commitment, growth, and the enduring impact of Eswatini’s agricultural sector.
“It is important that we provide sufficient food for the nation,” Tshawuka said in his address.
He stressed that ensuring food security was no longer an option but a national imperative. He also said the transformation of NMC marks the beginning of a broader national agenda to boost productivity and reduce import dependency.
Tshawuka reflecting on the nation’s gradual progress revealed that maize production increased from 75,000 metric tonnes last year to 77,000 metric tonnes this year. While acknowledging this as an improvement, he emphasized the need for accelerated growth.
He further commended the farmers for last season’s harvest.
“For the first time, the country produced 1,039 metric tonnes of beans,” he said, commending farmers for their resilience and expanding crop diversification. Despite this achievement, Eswatini still faces a substantial 86% food deficit, a gap he described as both alarming and costly.
Tshawuka highlighted the economic strain that food imports place on the country.
“With the remaining balance, it simply means we are exporting Eswatini jobs to South Africa. Importing maize and beans costs us E1.1 billion , and when combined with fruits and vegetables, that amount rises to E2.2 billion,” he said.
The minister issued a clear challenge to farmers to increase production significantly in the coming season.
“Next year, the target is to produce 110,000 metric tonnes,” he said, assuring them that the government will continue providing the necessary support to enable this growth.
Tshawuka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fair producer prices.
“Even though there were arguments about the price of beans, we assured farmers that the price stands at E7,000 per tonne, and maize at E6,000,” he stated.
He added that when he assumed office, the maize price was E4,600 per tonne, a figure that has since increased by 30% to better reward farmers and incentivise production.
Looking ahead, Tshawuka directed NMC to expand its storage capacity to accommodate the forecasted rise in local output.
“NMC needs to have store rooms,” he said, confirming that the storage infrastructure project is already underway.
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