Eswatini scales up nature-based horticulture to boost climate resilience and rural livelihoods

Johannesburg, South Africa: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Eswatini and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBOARD), is supporting smallholder farmers to adopt climate-smart horticulture solutions that increase food security, strengthen resilience, and create economic opportunities for rural communities.

Through the initiative, farmers are being equipped with protected cultivation technologies including tunnels and greenhouses, enabling them to overcome erratic weather and climate-related shocks while sustainably increasing production.

Tackling Climate Risks, Strengthening Food Security

Smallholders form the backbone of Eswatini’s food systems, yet many face declining yields due to climate change impacts such as irregular rainfall and hailstorms. To safeguard livelihoods and nutrition, FAO and government partners are promoting nature-based horticulture solutions that enhance productivity and encourage market-oriented farming.

Traditional subsistence farming is increasingly unable to meet food and income needs. The project focuses on transforming this model through climate-resilient practices and improved access to markets, particularly benefiting women and youth-led farmer groups.

Hands-On Training, Protected Structures, and Market Access

Under the programme, 320 smallholder farmers, including youth groups of whom 75 percent are women, received technical capacity building in climate-smart horticulture practices. This included the construction of eight protected cultivation tunnels, installation of drip irrigation systems, and training in greenhouse management.

NAMBOARD’s involvement strengthened farmer linkages to reliable markets through extension support and contract farming arrangements, ensuring improved access to buyers and fair pricing.

The Manga Manga Multipurpose Cooperative in Nkhaba is one of the initiative’s success stories. With ten members—70 percent women—the cooperative cultivated tomatoes and green peppers on 2 000 m² of greenhouse space, producing 1 000 tomatoes and 2 000 peppers. The group expects a return of USD 5 000, demonstrating the commercial viability of protected horticulture in rural Eswatini.

Scaling Success Through Partnerships and Policy Support

The experience showcases the effectiveness of climate-smart horticulture in strengthening resilience and boosting rural incomes. With 70 percent of participating farmer groups now registered cooperatives and many linked to NAMBOARD for guaranteed markets, the project has created a strong foundation for expansion.

FAO and partners aim to scale the model through policy incentives, enhanced private sector engagement, and increased access to financing for protected cultivation structures. Integration into national climate adaptation strategies and continued technical support will be key enablers for replication across rural communities.

By investing in nature-based solutions and empowering youth and women, Eswatini is positioning itself as a regional pioneer in climate-resilient horticulture and sustainable agrifood systems transformation.