Swaziland

Swaziland has a population of little over a million. The country's development has been one of the most successful in Africa, currently ranking 9th among African countries. The landscape has forested or grassy highveld in the west falling to the low lying plantations of the east. Agriculturally the country is split between largely rainfed subsistence production by smallholders, and cash cropping on large private estates. Poor availability of irrigation water is a major constraint to smallholder production. Productivity is also hit by the high rate of HIV/AIDS infection; estimated between 20 and 32% of the population. 06/07/09