Socio-economic impacts of commercialisation of agriculture in the Kingdom of Eswatini: A case of Siphofaneni.

The transformation of subsistence agriculture into market-oriented production has been in the policy spotlight in many countries in the global South, including the Kingdom of Eswatini. Although agricultural commercialisation continues to gain popularity as a development strategy in the rural spaces of Eswatini, there is still lack of scientific evidence on its effectiveness in rural poverty alleviation and contribution to rural livelihoods and welfare. This study aims to contribute to the 'agricultural commercialisation and poverty' debate by exploring the socio-economic impacts of agricultural commercialisation in rural Eswatini. Among the key findings of the study was that the commercialisation project (in Siphofaneni) improved income levels, income sources, and employment opportunities of rural people in Siphofaneni. Access to food and food consumption patterns (meal frequency & diets) were also improved. The study concluded that agricultural commercialisation improved the welfare outcomes of rural households in Siphofaneni and reduced poverty levels for some households. The study has made a timely contribution by providing some illumination on the role and contribution of the country's agricultural commercialisation project with regards to the improvement of the living conditions of people in Eswatini. The study recommended that the government of Eswatini expands the project into other food-deficit and deprived rural areas of the country rather than confining it to the drought-prone areas of Siphofaneni.