Swaziland is the small country in Southern Africa mostly known for its rich cultural heritage, the breath taking landscapes and wildlife. Cattle is undoubtedly part of the mentioned cultural heritage as it plays an important role in society through lobolo (bride price) hence family status. In addition, in a country where agriculture is large dominated by state run large-scale sugar cane plantations, livestock rearing and commercialization provides an important alternative source of income for small-scale farmers.
In Swaziland, as in many Southern African countries, smallholder cattle production is currently dominated by low productivity, with sales occasioned by household cash needs rather than planned delivery to the market. On both supply and demand sides of the cattle market, new opportunities are appearing. Irrigated areas offer opportunities for livestock production from fodder crops and crop residues, but capital remains a constraint on smallholder crop producers’ ability to purchase animals and associated equipment. In addition, limited sales and widespread informal slaughter contribute to low and irregular incomes for smallholder cattle producers and traders.
Few comprehensive attempts have been made to analyze Swaziland’s value chains for key aspects of linking supply and demand via smallholder production, and the current proposal includes such analysis as advocacy for selected upgrading options.
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) together with the Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary and Livestock Production Services and the Swaziland Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (SWADE) started a 3-year project in April 2013. The project engages with existing projects to establish grass-based fattening systems adding value to by-products of the sugar industry (i.e. molasses), crop by-products and residues, and on available pastures. It promotes innovative and comprehensive models facilitating the access to financial and marketing services to beef value chain stakeholders.
The project is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and links with other IFAD funded project in the country:
- Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project (LUSIP)
- Rural Finance and Enterprise Development Programme
Another important project partner is:
Innovative beef value chain development schemes 