Most Swazi farmers are self-sufficient on how many hectares?

• A. 0.5-1
• B. 1-3
• C. 3-5
• D. 5-10

Answer: (B)

This item tests how much land a typical Swazi, practicing subsistence farming, needs to be self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency means producing enough staple foods and vegetables for the family without relying on others for daily meals.

In Swaziland (Eswatini), many smallholders farm on compact plots and grow a mix of crops—maize as the staple, plus beans, vegetables, and sometimes fodder for livestock. A plot of about 1–3 hectares provides enough space to rotate crops, grow sufficient maize and legumes, and still have room for some vegetables and a small amount of fodder or livestock feed. It strikes a balance between being large enough to meet annual family needs and small enough to be manageable given typical labor and resource constraints.

Plots smaller than this often struggle to produce enough food year-round, while plots much larger are less common for subsistence farmers due to limited labor, land tenure realities, and the need to allocate land for other uses. Hence, 1–3 hectares best fits the common size that enables a Swazi household to be self-sufficient.