Resource information
The purpose of this policy note is to
contribute to an understanding of the factors that combine
to constrain the development of smallholder agriculture in
Swaziland. It seeks to shed light on why, despite being
well-endowed in land and water resources, and despite having
a climate that is generally favorable for the production of
crops and livestock, Swaziland is obliged to import
substantial amounts of food to feed the population. Also,
why, in spite of the significant investments that have made
in the agricultural sector and in spite of the extensive
farming experience of the 70 percent of the population that
lives off the land, smallholder farm productivity and
production have been declining over time. Finally, the
policy notes identify priority areas where strategic
interventions are needed to turn things around and get
smallholder agriculture going as a driver of growth and
poverty reduction. This note provides an overview of
smallholder agriculture in Swaziland, identifes constraints
that may be contributing to poor performance in the
smallholder sector, and evaluates technological options that
could improve productivity of smallholder farmers. In
addition, it summarizes the findings of a recent review of
public spending on agriculture, undertaken to identify
trends and patterns in agricultural spending over the last
five years and to determine whether the government's
budget allocations have been effective in supporting the
intended development of smallholder agriculture. After
addressing these questions, the policy note points to entry
points where future government interventions could help to
reverse the current negative trends.
