BY: PHESHEYA KUNENE | EDITOR
MAHLANGATSHA — Commercial grain farmers in Mahlangatsha are demonstrating that higher yields, improved farming practices and stronger extension support can significantly reduce maize imports and strengthen the country’s food security.
During a Ministry of Agriculture tour led by Acting Director Nikiwe Dlamini, officials visited several commercial farmers whose rising maize and bean production is showing how better agronomy, modern technologies and farmer collaboration can help close the gap between local grain supply and national demand.
For decades, the country has relied heavily on imported maize and beans to meet domestic demand. Yet the fertile soils of Mahlangatsha and the success of its commercial farmers suggest that increasing local production is achievable through better farming practices, improved technology and stronger extension services.
The country requires roughly 140,000 tonnes of maize annually, yet local production frequently falls well below demand, forcing significant imports, particularly during drought years. Dry bean production has also improved through government support programmes, but domestic supply still falls short of demand, presenting opportunities for expansion by commercial producers.
The experience of Mahlangatsha shows that the solution is not only increasing the number of farmers, but increasing production per hectare through better agronomic practices.
Commercial farmer Nathi Mabuza, who now harvests more than 350 tonnes of maize each season from his farms in Mahlangatsha and Lubombo, challenged young people to venture into commercial farming, saying agriculture has the potential to create sustainable livelihoods while strengthening national food security. He encouraged aspiring farmers to seek technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture and continually expand their production.
Farmer Elijah Simelane also credits modern farming practices for transforming his enterprise. After returning home in 2019 to focus on farming full-time, he worked closely with Assistant Extension Officer Nhlanhla Stew Steenkamp, adopting improved planting methods, fertiliser programmes and crop management techniques. Production increased to the extent that he expanded his maize storage facilities and now plans to increase both maize and bean production.
Other farmers are recording similar progress. Musa Lushaba increased his maize harvest from about 30 tonnes to 40 tonnes on the same eight hectares through improved crop management, while Jabu Ngwenya-Tsabedze has developed a successful maize and bean enterprise that supplies both the National Maize Corporation (NMC) and NAMBoard, creating seasonal employment in the process.
Women are equally contributing to the sector’s growth. Make Maseko cultivates seven hectares of maize while operating poultry and piggery enterprises. She believes diversification strengthens farm resilience and has encouraged farmers to join the newly established Mahlangatsha Grain Association, which aims to improve access to farming knowledge, discounted inputs and new markets.
Association chairperson Mbongeni Vilakati says organised farmers are better positioned to access opportunities, exchange knowledge and collectively improve grain production.
A key factor behind Mahlangatsha’s progress is the technical guidance provided by Ministry of Agriculture extension officers. Assistant Extension Officer Nhlanhla Stew Steenkamp continues to encourage farmers to begin every season with soil sampling, apply lime where necessary to correct soil acidity, plant improved seed varieties such as SC719, SC727, SC637, Lake 601, Capstone and Dekalb, and follow recommended fertiliser programmes, weed management and timely control of fall armyworm.
These practices are becoming increasingly important as farmers face rising temperatures, prolonged heatwaves and erratic rainfall associated with climate change. While many producers experienced lower yields this season, those who adopted recommended production methods still achieved encouraging harvests.
The lessons from Mahlangatsha extend beyond one farming community. They demonstrate that increasing maize and bean production will require continuous investment in farmer training, stronger extension services, improved access to quality inputs, organised farmer associations and greater participation by young people in commercial agriculture.
If these approaches are replicated across the country’s grain-producing regions, local production could steadily close the gap between supply and demand, reduce dependence on imports and create new opportunities for value addition, regional trade and future exports.
Mahlangatsha’s farmers are proving that higher yields are not simply the result of cultivating more land—they are the product of knowledge, innovation, discipline and a commitment to treating farming as a business.
