Adoption of Agricultural Conservation Technologies (ACTs) in Manzini Region of Eswatini

Background and Objective: In spite of efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, poverty reduction and improved livelihood outcomes of farm families, the adoption and utilization of agricultural conservation technologies by these households are overdue. The determinants of the adoption of agricultural conservation technologies in the Manzini Region of Eswatini were evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: Primary data was obtained using a well-structured questionnaire from one hundred and twenty farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques and the Tobit regression model. Results: Findings showed that majorities (65.83%) of the respondents were female, 50.83% had secondary education qualifications and 21.67% had primary education. Most (92.50%) of the respondents were introduced to intercropping and only 56.67% adopted it, 40.83% adopted mulching and few of the respondents adopted gully construction, plantation on degraded land and hedge establishment. Agricultural information was mainly obtained from the media. The major constraints to the adoption of agricultural conservation technologies were low yield, lack of technical know-how, shortage of land for farming, insufficient finance for farm operations, lack of capital, lack of motivation by extension agents, high cost of capital and low level of income. Also, household size, farm size, farm experience, shared experience among the farmers, financial access and training of new technologies significantly influence ACTs. Conclusion: Farmers with larger households were less likely to adopt ACTs but there is a higher chance of adoption when there is adequate training, an increase in the number of extension agents and a review of land reforms.