Biophysical Impacts of Climate Change on Crop Productivity of the Rural Small Scale Farming Sector in Swaziland

Abstract: The study reviewed the impacts of Biophysical factors which ameliorate the environment for productivity of small scale farmers in the rural farming sector in Swaziland. The study reviewed, with special reference to its impact on Maize and bean production as these are the dominant crops in Swaziland. The major biophysical impacts examined by the study was temperature, precipitation, soil factors including technological factors as they affect yield of maize and beans in all four agro-ecological zones of the Kingdom of Swaziland. The degree of variability in these parameters was evaluated using primary and secondary data on climatic elements and agronomic parameters spanning a period of 30 years. The statistics used a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and co-efficient of variation. There were significant differences in the average maize yield, temperature and rainfall in all four agro-ecological zones. The level of food security in all small holder households declined in the Lowveld increasing food insecurity in the majority of households (p