Africa-Press – Eswatini. The National Maize Corporation (NMC) has announced the opening of a payment window for farmers whose applications for the 2025/26 Beans Production Input Subsidy were approved but not yet paid.
The window opens on January 5, 2026, and will remain open until the allocated budget is exhausted.
NMC Chief Executive Officer Mavela Vilane said the move is intended to ensure that approved farmers are given a fair opportunity to participate in the programme and contribute to improved local bean production. He encouraged beneficiaries to make payments promptly, stressing that the subsidy plays a vital role in strengthening food security and supporting smallholder farmers.
Only farmers who applied for the Input Subsidy Programme and received confirmation that their applications were approved are eligible to make payments. Payments can be made at all Eswatini Bank branches or through MoMo Pay at the nearest Rural Development Area (RDA) office.
The Input packages are priced at E6 000 for one hectare and E3 000 for half a hectare. Farmers will be required to present a national identity document and the confirmation SMS from NMC when making payment.
The Importance of increasing bean production was also highlighted earlier this month by Mandla Nkambule, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Enterprise Fund, while speaking during the awarding of Certificates of Compliance to business people who received funding from the Fund. Nkambule noted that Eswatini consumes approximately 7 000 metric tonnes of beans annually, yet local production remains at about 600 metric tonnes, underscoring a significant production gap.
He encouraged young entrepreneurs and small-scale farmers to explore opportunities within agriculture to help close the gap while building sustainable businesses.
Smallholder farmer Falina Shabangu from Nkwene welcomed initiatives aimed at supporting bean production. She said she is ploughing almost a hectare last season. Shabangu said improved access to inputs could further enhance yields and farmer confidence.
The Beans Production Input Subsidy Programme is expected to boost production, support farmer participation, and contribute meaningfully to national food security during the 2025/26 farming season.
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