Challenges faced by small scale farmers in Swaziland: a case of Hhohho region
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Date
2016-12
Authors
Shabangu, Prudence
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the Hhohho region of Swaziland. The study was done in Ntfonjeni, Kalomshiyo and Emvembili. The main emphasis of the study was on how these challenges impact on sustainable agriculture in the Hholilio region of Swaziland, whilst the farmers and Extension Officers (EOs) are striving towards achieving self-sufficiency in food supply and food security. Primary data collection was done through formal interviews from small scale farmers and EOs who have been into farming for more than twelve months. Data was analysed using SPSS which makes data analysis quicker because the
program knows the location of the cases and variables. SPSS is specifically made for analysing data and thus offers a great range of methods, graphs and charts. Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel was also used. The researcher covered a sample of fortyfive (45) farmers and twenty (20) Extension Officers. The study revealed that there is a relationship between farmers and EOs, however, this need to be strengthened by means of having more interactions and by adding more EOs so that every farmer has access to the EOs at any given time for more education on the farming and to curtail
any challenge that may arise whilst farming is in progress.
The study also revealed that about 60% of produce from small scale farmers is sold to the informal market, whilst the lesser part (40%) was sold to the formal market. Most of the reasons originated from the fact that the farmers have to look into different criterions before selling their products. Of these, 85% used price as the yardstick and 15% used transport availability as formal markets are far from the places of production.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.A. (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2016, Small scale farmers, Extension officers, Challenges, Strategies, Mitigating, Market, Swaziland