• Daniel Mkhathazi Khumalo

Irrigation is the most important factor in agriculture under the prevailing climatic conditions and climate change in Eswatini. It’s a practice that ensures high levels of productivity in Bt cotton. Cultivation of Bt cotton under irrigation is important for people’s livelihood and sustainability of the cotton supply chain leading to industrial development and employment in Eswatini. Bt Cotton's impact on the cotton value chain contributes to economic growth through the supply of raw materials for the secondary production sector. The different products are used for diverse purposes in the country like employment creation, generating income and contributing to tax through stimulating different economic sectors. Adoption of irrigation Bt cotton by small-scale growers is essential, due to water deficiency during the crop cycle caused by low rainfall and poor distribution of precipitations. The challenge found is that small-scale farmers are not irrigating  Bt cotton because of a number of reasons.The objective of this study was to evaluate the challenges of introducing irrigation to small-scale cotton growers in Eswatini. An evaluation was carried out using quantitative research. The study consisted of eight informants who are experienced in cotton production. Data were evaluated by using thematic areas. The study revealed that higher infrastructure cost makes irrigation not affordable to small-scale cotton growers producing cotton in an area of less than one hectare. The study further reveals that installation for irrigation is high and farmers cannot afford to pay for installation costs. There was also a lack of knowledge to execute irrigation from cotton farmers. Indication further states training is an essential component of handling cotton production under irrigation. Finally, the study recommends government intervention through subsidies to reduce the high cost of infrastructure and provide bank guarantees to small-scale growers to access loans for buying and installing irrigation infrastructure.

Bt Cotton, cost, Irrigation, infrastructure, small scale farmers

"Challenges of introducing irrigation to small scale cotton growers in the Kingdom of Eswatini", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 10, page no.h330-h341, October-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2310640.pdf

"Challenges of introducing irrigation to small scale cotton growers in the Kingdom of Eswatini", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 10, page no. pph330-h341, October-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2310640.pdf