Drought-resistant crops

Climate-Smart Drought-Resistant Agriculture Platform

This innovation is a sustainable farming enterprise that combines drought-resistant crops and vegetables, efficient water management, and climate-smart farming techniques to ensure year-round food production despite changing weather patterns and recurring droughts in Eswatini.

The project uses methods such as:

• Drought-tolerant crop varieties
• Drip irrigation systems
• Rainwater harvesting and water storage
• Greenhouse and shade-net production
• Soil conservation and organic farming practices
• Farmer training and demonstration plots

The innovation:

• Produces food even during periods of low rainfall.
• Increases agricultural productivity while using less water.
• Provides a reliable supply of vegetables and grains to communities and markets.
• Creates employment opportunities for youth and women.
• Improves food security and household incomes.
• Demonstrates sustainable farming methods that can be replicated by other farmers.

Intended Users

The intended users are:

• Smallholder farmers in rural and peri-urban communities
• Youth interested in agribusiness and entrepreneurship
• Women-led farming groups
• Schools and community gardens
• Local markets, retailers, and food processors
• Communities vulnerable to drought and food shortages

Inspiration Behind the Innovation

The inspiration came from witnessing the frequent droughts and erratic rainfall patterns in Eswatini, which have caused crop failures, food shortages, and loss of income for many farmers. Many communities struggle to access affordable and nutritious food during dry seasons.

The innovation was therefore developed to provide a practical, climate-resilient, and sustainable solution that enables farmers to continue producing food, generate income, and strengthen food security despite the challenges posed by climate change.