Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Government of Eswatini, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is moving decisively to ban the sale of harmful pesticides, including the widely used Master 900, in a bid to protect public health and safeguard the environment.
The move follows growing concern over the rise in suicides across the country, with Master 900 – a methomyl-based pesticide – increasingly being used in such tragic incidents. Parliament last year urged the Ministry of Agriculture to take firm action, prompting swift steps to regulate and restrict access to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs).
Responding to a National Crisis
The announcement was made on Thursday, 4 September 2025, during a Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on the Management of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Mbabane. Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka confirmed that the restrictions will apply not only to Master 900 but to all products containing methomyl, which is sold under various brand names.
In his opening remarks, Minister Tshawuka stressed that pesticide misuse was no longer merely a technical challenge but had escalated into a national crisis with devastating social, health, and economic consequences.
He outlined Government’s key priorities:
Aligning national policies with international standards for safe agricultural practices.
Addressing the growing cases of pesticide-related deaths and poisonings.
Developing a National Pesticide List that prioritises safety and effectiveness.
Phasing out hazardous pesticides such as methomyl in favour of safer alternatives.
Protecting Lives and Promoting Sustainability
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s determination to progressively reduce and ultimately phase out the use of HHPs. He emphasised that the policy shift was about saving lives, protecting biodiversity, and building a sustainable farming future for Eswatini.
“This is about more than regulation—it is about ensuring that no lives are lost unnecessarily, and that our agricultural sector grows responsibly,” he said.
Call for Collective Action
The engagement brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, agro-dealers, researchers, civil society, and private sector representatives. Discussions centred on finding affordable, practical, and sustainable pest management solutions that can be adopted nationwide.
The Ministry urged all stakeholders to join forces to ensure that no farmer, worker, or member of the public suffers harm due to pesticide misuse.
Looking Forward
The phase-out of methomyl-based products such as Master 900 marks a critical turning point in Eswatini’s agricultural and public health policy. It reflects a broader commitment to balancing productivity with human safety and environmental stewardship.
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