Agricultural Extension in the Facilitation of Improved Sugarcane Productivity among Small Scale Growers in Swaziland: A Swot Analysis

Sugarcane production especially among the small scale growers in the rural areas of Swaziland has continued to be an area of great concern not only to the sugar industry but also to the country’s economy as a whole mainly due to its continued downward trend in terms of productivity. This is further worsened by the different production challenges facing the industry including economic, production and management challenges. Agricultural extension emerges as the main player in the industry that can bring a positive response towards improved productivity of these small scale growers. Using the connectivity that exists between sugarcane production and the extension service, this study presents a philosophical argument exploring the role that agricultural extension can play in the realization of the sugar industry’s goal of improving the small scale grower productivity. Drawing from relevant published works, this paper argues that extension is particularly well positioned to address small scale sugarcane production challenges through improved teaching and learning, promotion of farmer group formation, strengthening of stakeholder linkages, improved information management and technology adoption.