MBABANE: Jabulani Mabuza, the Minister of Agriculture of Cooperatives has officially launched a R44million Commercial Maize Revolving Fund, Government online platforms reported on Monday.
It has been reported that the fund has already been piloted and benefitted farmers across the country.
The project will run for a period of three years and is being implemented by the Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE) and the National Maize Cooperation (NMC).
“The Ministry of Agriculture, in its 2018-2023 Strategy, pledged to transform agriculture into a modernised, sustainable and export-oriented sector that contributes to improved food security and overall economic development, among other objectives. Aligned to this strategy, is intensified maize production, which has been identified an essential aspect of agriculture and food security for the country.Government has a massive task of assisting the country to attain its food and nutrition security through the production of 30 000 metric tons or more of grain maize on an annual basis. Achievement of this will contribute towards the national maize demand which is estimated at 140 000 metric tons per annum,” said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister.
Minister Jabulani Mabuza poses with, from left, Business Eswatini CEO E.Nathi Dlamini, ESWADE CEO Dumsani Sithole and NMC CEO Mavela Vilane during the launch of the Commercial Maize Revolving Fund(pic: Gov).