BY TSABEDZE KWANELE
MBABANE – Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza has presented a positive report on the on-going Farmer Subsidy program.
The government program provides farmers with 65 per cent of the inputs they need for each year so that farmers are not limited by resources in how they produce food for the country.
Speaking during the presentation in parliament, Mabuza revealed that the program was being received with enthusiasm by farmers this year as well.
“The numbers show that the budget allocation for the program might soon run out – it is not yet the case, but this can happen anytime from now. Members of parliament, we also urge farmers to continue paying for tractor hours – farmers can still pay and we encourage them to do this as soon as possible. 18 000 hours have been registered for, and more than 10 000 hours from that has already been cultivated,” said Mabuza.
“I should also point out that there are 150 government tractors that have been recently serviced and are ready to service farmers where they are called. These 150 tractors are just the ones from government and they are not the total number of tractors. We also engage the private sector, where our usual target is 140 tractors,” the Minister added.
The Minister’s presentation was very well-received by members of parliament.
The Minister also revealed that going forward, they are seeking more support on the program from local stakeholders as well as regional partners like the African Development Bank.
The program has proven effective over the years, as maize yield has gone from 86 000 metric tonnes to 127 000 metric tonnes in three years, according to the Minister of Agriculture.
