Agriculture
Four-fifths of the population of Swaziland feed on agriculture. The most common are small family farms on land that formally belong to the king. The most important crop for households is maize.
- CountryAAH: Comprehensive import regulations of Swaziland. Covers import prohibitions and special documentation requirements for a list of prohibited items.
Many small farmers also raise livestock on a small scale. A major problem for farmers is recurring drought that leads to food shortages and sometimes famine.
About 40 percent of the agricultural land is grown sugar cane, cotton, citrus fruits and pineapple for export. Tobacco and rice are also grown. These crops are processed in the food industry and provide important export income for the country. Export agriculture is part of large, often irrigated, plantations owned by domestic or foreign companies.
Cattle are raised both by small farmers and on ranches. Overgrazing is a serious environmental problem that leads to soil degradation. For Swaziland defense and foreign policy, please check prozipcodes.
Most of the original forest is felled. Now forest is planted for the production of pulp. However, the country’s only pulp mill was closed in early 2010.
The fishing is small in scope and is conducted only for household needs.
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Offers how the 3-letter acronym of SWZ stands for the state of Swaziland in geography.
2016
August
Water rationing while waiting for rain
August 11th
The severe drought that has hit the whole of southern Africa leads the responsible water authority to ration the water in the capital Mbabane. The water pipes are closed for four days a week until further notice. Until the summer rains, which are expected in October, begin to fill the reservoirs again, water is run out with tankers. (11/8)