Sydney Dladla, National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard’s) Head of Agri-Business.
BY SIBUSISIWE NDZIMANDZE | JOURNALIST
MANZINI — For horticulture farmers who have seen prices fall after producing more than the market can absorb, mandatory registration under the Eswatini Horticulture Information System (EHIS), starting on 1 May 2026, is expected to mark a turning point by helping align production with demand, reduce oversupply and protect the value of their produce.
According to information shared on the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard)’s official Facebook page, the directive applies to all horticulture farmers, whether contracted with NAMBoard or not, and forms part of efforts to strengthen market coordination, protect local production and improve access to opportunities within the sector.
The development marks a major step towards a more organised and data-driven horticulture sector, where production decisions can be guided by reliable information on supply, demand and market needs.
NAMBoard Communications Officer Lwandile Maseko confirmed that all horticulture farmers will be required to register under EHIS, with the directive taking effect from 1 May 2026.
“It is important for all horticulture farmers to register on EHIS, as this will help improve coordination in the sector and ensure production is aligned with market demand,” said Maseko.
Why registration matters
According to NAMBoard, the EHIS platform has been designed to strengthen the horticulture sector by improving data collection and integrity, increasing the visibility of local produce in the market, and enhancing access to buyers and market opportunities.
The system is also expected to improve national production planning and coordination, support compliance with food safety and quality standards, promote coordinated local sourcing, and enable effective monitoring of supply and demand across the country.
For years, one of the sector’s major weaknesses has been the lack of accurate and timely production data. This has often made it difficult to match production with market demand, sometimes resulting in oversupply of certain crops, unstable prices and missed opportunities for local farmers.
With EHIS now becoming mandatory, NAMBoard is seeking to close that information gap and create a clearer picture of what is being produced, where it is being produced, and when it will reach the market.
Driving a market-led production system
The move is expected to push the sector further towards market-led production, where farmers plan with demand in mind rather than producing without clear market signals.
Speaking during the NAMBoard Farmers Roadshow in Lubombo that was held at Siphofaneni RDA, Head of Agri-Business Sydney Dladla, representing the Chief Executive Officer, emphasised that the system will enable NAMBoard to better understand national production patterns.
He noted that through EHIS, the board will be able to identify who is producing what and where, allowing for improved monitoring and coordination of the sector.
Dladla explained that this information is critical in guiding decisions such as import permits. When local production is sufficient, NAMBoard can limit imports and encourage buyers to source from local farmers.
He further highlighted that registration will also help farmers avoid producing crops that are already oversupplied, which often leads to price declines and losses.
Data beyond NAMBoard supply
Dladla also encouraged farmers to go beyond supplying NAMBoard and begin sharing production data from all markets they serve.
Currently, most available records are based on produce delivered to NAMBoard, but he stressed that the board needs a broader dataset to fully understand national production.
“This cannot be based on word of mouth. We need records,” he said, underscoring the importance of accurate and traceable information.
Information farmers will need to provide
Under the registration process, farmers will be required to submit personal details such as names, contact information and location.
They will also need to provide farm information, including size, location, irrigation and ownership details, as well as crop information covering crop type and production system.
Other details required include expected production volumes, harvesting periods, market preferences and the type of support needed.
This information is expected to help create a more reliable national production database for the horticulture sector.
How registration will be done
Farmers will be able to register through self-registration by visiting the EHIS website or downloading the EHIS mobile application.
Those who need assistance can also register through NAMBoard, where an officer will help capture and submit the required information.
The board has stressed that compliance with the directive is essential for strengthening market coordination, protecting local production and improving access to opportunities within the horticulture sector.
A turning point for the sector
The mandatory rollout of EHIS points to a broader shift in Eswatini’s agriculture sector, where data is increasingly becoming central to planning, trade and production decisions.
For farmers, registration is likely to become more than an administrative requirement. It could shape who accesses markets, who benefits from local sourcing opportunities, and how effectively the country manages supply against demand.
If fully implemented, the system could help reduce guesswork in the sector, support more efficient value chain coordination and improve the competitiveness of local horticulture production.
The message from NAMBoard is clear:
the future of horticulture will depend not only on what farmers produce, but also on how well production is captured, coordinated and aligned with the market.
How to register
Farmers can register by visiting https://ehis.co.sz or by downloading the EHIS mobile application.
For assistance, contact NAMBoard or reach out to the Head of Agri-Business, Sydney Dladla, on +268 7605 3159.
