Effect of Climate Change on Maize (Zea mays) Production and Food Security in Swaziland

Climate variability has been and continues to be, the principal source of fluctuations in global food production in countries of the developing world and is of serious concern in the Kingdom of Swaziland. The mean annual rainfall is considerably low in most parts of the country and temporal variability is quite high. In some places, as much as 60% of the annual total rainfall is recorded in just two months of the year. There is however, no definite trend discernible in the long-term mean rainfall. Rainfall variability is a threat to food production in Swaziland especially maize production which is the staple food. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of climate variability and change on maize production and household food security in Swaziland. To achieve the objective, secondary data on rainfall in two agro-ecological zones and maize production from 1990 to 2009 were analysed using two-way analysis of variance and the data was then subjected to regression analyses to establish trends. Results showed significant differences in average rainfall and growing season rainfall on maize production. The rainfall trends in the Lowveld (severe drought prone area) tended to be declining whilst that of Middleveld (moderate drought prone area) was somewhat stable. Reduced/or erratic rainfall during the years resulted in decreased maize production. However, rainwater harvesting/soil conservation techniques, intercropping, growing of short duration/early maturing maize varieties, crop diversification such as millet and sorghum and migration of farmers to more productive Swazi Nation Land (SNL) for crop production can mitigate further the impacts of climate change and increase household food security in Swaziland.