The Determinants of Food Security of Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in Eswatini

Abstract

Background: Agriculture supports rural livelihoods, employment creation and household food provision in Eswatini, yet food insecurity persists among rural farming households. Smallholder vegetable production is an important enterprise because it can contribute to household income, food availability and dietary diversity. However, empirical evidence on the determinants of food security among vegetable farmers in Eswatini remains limited. Aim: This study analysed the determinants of food security among smallholder vegetable farmers in Eswatini. Methods: The study targeted smallholder vegetable farmers contracted with the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard). A random sample of 365 vegetable farmers was drawn from a population of 946 contracted farmers across the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Cross-sectional data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Household food security status was measured using the Food Security Index, while the determinants of food security were estimated using a logit regression model. Results: The results show that 86 farmers (21.77%) were severely food insecure, 129 farmers (32.66%) were moderately food insecure and 180 farmers (45.57%) were food secure. The logit regression results indicate that age, household size, farming experience, education level, off-farm income and annual household income significantly influenced the probability of being food secure. Age and household size had negative effects, whereas farming experience, education level, off-farm income and annual household income had positive effects. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study concludes that food security among smallholder vegetable farmers is associated with demographic, human-capital and income-related factors. It recommends strengthening farmer education, youth-focused agricultural programmes, income diversification opportunities and market-oriented support to improve household food security among vegetable farmers in Eswatini.