The National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) has announced the introduction of compulsory registration for all horticulture farmers under the Eswatini Horticulture Information System (EHIS).
According to NAMBoard, the move is aimed at enhancing data-driven decision-making within the sector that is faced with a structural imbalance; producing more than what the market can consume, thus leading to decreased prices and unpredictable incomes for farmers.
As of this month, all farmers are supposed to do the mandatory registration in line with the provisions of the NAMBoard Act No. 13 of 1985 and the 2023 NAMBoard regulations.
NAMBoard CEO Bhekizwe Maziya said this was a centralised platform aimed at bringing real-time data of the nation, as well as visibility to one of the country’s most important value chains.
The directive applies to all horticulture farmers, regardless of whether they are currently contracted with NAMBoard or operating independently.
Maziya said the EHIS platform has been introduced as a strategic tool to modernise and streamline the country’s horticulture industry.
Through this system, NAMBoard seeks to improve the collection and integrity of agricultural data, while also increasing the visibility of locally produced crops in domestic and regional markets.
In addition, the system is expected to unlock greater market opportunities for farmers, enabling them to connect more efficiently with buyers and participate more competitively in supply chains.
He also highlighted that EHIS would play a critical role in strengthening national production planning and coordination, ensuring that supply aligns more effectively with market demand.
Food safety and quality compliance remain a central pillar of the initiative.
By registering through EHIS, farmers will be better positioned to meet established standards, while also benefiting from coordinated local sourcing efforts and improved monitoring of production trends across the country.
“EHIS is one of our drives to collect data so that is why we play our regulatory function as NAMBoard, we also have credible data that we can use as a basis for our decision making.
“The regulation requires that for every decision we take, it must be based on credible and accurate data.
The decision for the EHIS is also done to alleviate poverty in farmers who are currently suffering due to low prices that are a result of oversupply of produce in a certain period.
Our responsibility is to ensure market balance so that we do not have gaps in the markets and there is balance,” Maziya said.
To accommodate farmers with varying levels of access to digital tools, NAMBoard has introduced two registration options.
Farmers may complete a self-registration process via the EHIS online platform or mobile application, or opt for assisted registration, where NAMBoard officials will provide direct support in capturing and submitting the required information.
As part of the registration process, farmers will be required to submit detailed information, including personal and contact details, farm characteristics, crop types, production systems and projected output volumes.
Information on market preferences and support needs will also be collected to better tailor interventions and support programmes.
NAMBoard has emphasised that compliance with the directive is not optional.
The organisation noted that the registration exercise is essential for improving market coordination, protecting local production and ensuring that farmers fully benefit from opportunities within the horticulture value chain.
Maziya emphasised that the registering process is done for the farmers’ benefit and they are not forced to register, only are urged to register once they understand what the process is about.
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He said when there is over supply, the farmers are affected mostly because the demand is low.
He said they were trying to ensure that there is volatility stability.
The CEO further stated that they are going to start effecting the local sourcing policy, a tool that will ensure that importers show how they have sourced it locally, so that they then give them permit with quantity to import the excess.
“They are the ones who will get a better price and secure markets. It is mandatory for producers to be register according to the NAMBoard Establishment Act, but it is up to farmers to willingly adhere to the law in order for them to benefit.
“What is currently happening is that everyone gets a shocker, both the farmers and buyers when we take produce to the market because at times there is over supply and prices have to be cut.
Registering enables all of us to play our role,” Maziya added.
