The Effects on Policy of the Composition of the ICT Public Policy Network in Swaziland

The composition, relationships, alliances, power structures, norms and bureaucracies in policy networks affect not only the policymaking process but also the policies that result. This article reports on a study which analysed the dynamics of the ICT policymaking network in a developing country, Swaziland. The study uses a policy network analysis (PNA) approach to analyse the Swaziland national ICT policy network. The findings of the study show that government recruited mainly conformist actors into the policy network so as to meet set deadlines, and that policymaking was dominated by political agendas and strong foreign intervention, while side-lining key local policy actors

HIV/AIDS as a Fiscal Liability

The costs of HIV/AIDS programs are significant from a macroeconomic or fiscal perspective in a number of countries. Assessing the fiscal implications is complicated by the long lags between infection and the need for HIV/AIDS-related services, and the long duration over which these services (notably treatment) are required. The paper interprets the fiscal costs of HIV/AIDS programs as quasi-liabilities, which are incurred by HIV infections and are paid off as HIV/AIDS-related services are delivered. On the microeconomic level, the analysis yields estimates of the costs incurred by single HIV infections, which - together with other criteria - can be used in assessing the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS program allocations. On the macroeconomic level, the analysis highlights the large magnitude of the HIV/AIDS quasi-liability (according to criteria for the sustainability of public debt), and quantifies the fiscal savings achieved or projected as a consequence of declining HIV incidence. --HIV/AIDS,health shocks,health expenditures,social expenditures,fiscal space,debt sustainability,quasi-liabilities,Africa,Botswana,South Africa,Swaziland,Uganda

Effectiveness of a comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence prevention project for in-school girls in Swaziland

Swaziland is one of the sub-Saharan African countries affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and HIV and AIDS, with women facing greater risk compared to men. In response to increasing reports of violence against women and children in the country, the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse launched a Girls’ Empowerment Clubs (GEC) program in primary and secondary schools in order prevent SGBV cases. Due to limitations of the program (such as being led by teachers and reliance on volunteers), an intervention study was carried out by the Population Council to test the effectiveness of an enhanced version, “GEC-Plus,” that used a “safe spaces” approach of building the girls’ social assets in order to mitigate SGBV. The specific objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the GEC-Plus project on SGBV knowledge, attitudes, and practices among in-school girls in Swaziland. This report summarizes the key results emerging from the study

Households’ Willingness to Pay for Improved Water Services: A Case of Semi-Urban Households in the Lubombo and Lowveld Regions of Swaziland

Management of water resources in an equitable manner by water managers has proved to be a demanding task. Therefore, evaluating domestic water demand behaviours produces an underlying basis for water managers to sustainably and efficiently meet the ever increasing demand for water. Using survey data collected from 314 households in the Lowveld and Lubombo regions of Swaziland, this paper uses the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to determine households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved water services. In estimating the parametric mean WTP and its determinants, the paper uses both the bivariate probit model and univariate probit model, respectively. The results show that 67% of the households were willing to pay the initial bid for improved water services. The mean WTP for a 20 litre of water was estimated at E0.47[1]. Probit model results show that household income, education, gender, distance and owning a backyard garden positively influence household WTP. However, age, water quality and the initial bid offered deter households WTP for improved water services. This suggests that socioeconomic factors should be considered when setting domestic water tariffs and designing strategies for improved water supply services. Keywords: Willingness to Pay (WTP), Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Swaziland [1] 1 USD = E13.5 Emalangen

Economic benefits of technical vocational education and training in the Kingdom of Eswatini: A case of the national handicraft training centre

This study estimates the economic benefits of the Government of Eswatini and its development partners’ investment into the National Handicraft Training Centre (NHTC). Using NHTCs student database from 1995 to 2015, the study tracks graduates from the Centre to assess the demand and absorbability of their skills into the economy. Data on employment, self-employment status, and the level of skills upgrading with institutions of higher learning after graduating from the NHTC was collected. Employment earnings, self-employment, and part-time profits was collected to calculate their annual average incomes. The study finds that the NHTC return on investment calculated as the benefit-cost ratio of the graduates’ incomes against the money spent on NHTC is 1: 4.66. This means for every E1 invested on NHTC, the economy generates E4.66 in the income generating activities of NHTC TVET graduates.Keywords: Economic Benefits; Skills Utilisation; Youth Employment

Drought Disaster Risk Reduction through Agriculture Development, the Role of Appropriate Technology Transfer: Experiences from Swaziland

Agriculture is vulnerable to climate change posing challenges for development and poverty reduction. Recurrent droughts have affected Swaziland significantly more so because many households depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and to compound to this, the country has been affected by general economic decline and the impact of HIV and AIDS, creating vicious cycles of vulnerability, poverty and food insecurity for the poor. Drought in the Lowveld agro-ecological zone affects household economy and food security, with major impacts being reduction in agricultural production and water availability for domestic purposes. This study evaluated the impact of drought mitigation programs and the nature of the farming community response to the droughts in the Lowveld between 2007 and 2012. The study involved use of both qualitative and quantitative approaches where primary data were collected from Non-Governmental Organizations’ drought mitigation programs beneficiaries. The findings show that drought was a major contributor to food insecurity which in turn impacted on the health and productivity of the farmers. Communities resorted to reactive planning and response to drought and its impact, which was compounded by inadequacy of the extension support services especially such as lack of media for disseminating early-warning information and drought mitigation information. The uptake of drought mitigation programs have been slow, attributed to poor beneficiary targeting as well as a high food aid dependency syndrome. Most NGOs still use top down approach for agriculture extension as well as having a tendency of giving relief assistance without thorough sustainability planning, which has affected overall uptake of development programs. Keywords: Climate Change, Drought, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience, HIV/AIDS, coping strategies, climate smart agriculture

Factors Influencing Farmers Participation in Smallholder Irrigation Schemes: The Case of Ntfonjeni Rural Development Area

Most Swazi households depend on rainfed agriculture for food production, which limits the output because of the unreliable rainfall in the country. To mitigate this, the government has invested in rehabilitation of irrigation schemes to reduce the dependence on rainfall. This study therefore determined the factors influencing participation of farmers in small holder irrigation schemes in Swaziland, using Ntfonjeni Rural Development Area (RDA), as a case study. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 96 farming households, 48 participants of local irrigation scheme and 48 non participants. Data was collected using questionnaires. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and probit model. The study revealed that the participation in small holder irrigation schemes is significantly influenced by households distance to the scheme, age and occupation of household head, farm size and access to credit and membership in other groups. Participation improves output and income for households.  Hence it is recommended that peasant farmers should be assisted with credit facilities as an incentive to participate in irrigation schemes. Key words: Participation, small scale irrigation schemes, Probit, Ntfonjeni, Swaziland

Environment structure and performance in Swaziland's smallholder cane grower organisations

The purpose of this study was to assess the operations of smallholder sugar cane grower organisations based in the Komati River Basin of Swaziland. These organisations were formed at the beginning of this millennium. Some ten years later some have performed very well while others are struggling, and yet others are on the verge of collapse. The situation for some of these became so bad that their sustainability in the business was challenged. This did not augur well for the Government of Swaziland that established the project to address the issues of food security and poverty alleviation. This study was conducted as a case study with five organisations forming the cases. Data were collected from three levels within each organisation using primary and secondary data sources. Findings revealed that organisations were alike in many aspects including history, governance, strategic and human resource management. This was not surprising because for all of them capacity building is provided by Swaziland Water and Agriculture Development Enterprise (SWADE), Swaziland Sugar Association (SSA), and Mhlume Sugar Mill. Organisational structures were bureaucratic with limited participation in decision-making by employees and strict adherence to procedures and specialisation. This led to the conclusion that a mechanistic organisation management system was in place. Environmental resources were favourable according to chairpersons and their views were that they have the self-confidence and commitment for entrepreneurial development. The study concluded that a new series of studies need to be undertaken to explore the many unique research areas that are unearthed. Studies could narrow the focus but as far as possible consider the whole population of organisations in the K1DDP (19). Organisations also need to consider improving management and networking to reduce transaction costs

Farmer perceptions and responses to soil degradation in Swaziland

Soil degradation is globally concerning due to its adverse effects on the environment and agricultural production. Much of Swaziland is at risk from degradation. This paper assesses farmer perceptions and responses to soil degradation in 2002 and 2014, focusing on two land uses that underpin rural livelihoods: arable land and rangeland areas. It uses repeat household surveys and semi-structured interviews, in two case study chiefdoms in the country’s middleveld (KaBhudla and Engcayini) in the first longitudinal study of its kind. We find that observations of land degradation are perceived mainly through changes in land productivity, with chemical degradation occurring predominantly on arable land and physical degradation and erosion mainly in rangeland areas. Changes in rainfall are particularly important in determining responses. While perceptions of the causes and impacts of degradation largely concur with the scientific literature, responses were constrained by poor land availability, shorter and more unpredictable cropping seasons because of changing rains and low awareness, access to or knowledge of agricultural inputs. We suggest that sustainable arable land management can be enhanced through improved access to alternative sources of water, use of management practices that retain soil and moisture and greater access to agricultural inputs and capacity building to ensure their appropriate use. We suggest collaborative management for settlement planning that integrates soil conservation and livestock management strategies such as controlled stocking levels and rotational grazing could improve land quality in rangeland areas. Together, these approaches can help land users to better manage change