Smallholder promotion

Agreement with neighbours

Sectoral Policy

With three quarters of Swaziland's population living in rural areas, the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland (GOS) has identified increasing the productivity of Swazi Nation Land (SNL) as the key to larger agricultural output as well as a means to raise smallholders' incomes. Within the agricultural sector, particular attention will be paid to productive smallholder agriculture and its integration into the existing dynamic commercial market-oriented environment.

The specific objectives to be pursued within the framework of the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the Second Economic & Social Reform Agenda (ESRA II) as well as the National Indicative Programme are to:

• increase productivity and diversify smallholder agriculture in order to increase rural incomes and employment opportunities and to improve nutritional levels;
• increase agricultural exports;
• promote grass-root participatory development with particular emphasis on women's socio-economic integration.