Explain why crop land at small scale is one of the highest in land coverage in eswatini (a least developed country)

In Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), small-scale crop land is one of the highest in land coverage due to several interrelated factors:

**Subsistence Farming**: A significant portion of the rural population engages in subsistence farming, where families grow crops primarily for their own consumption rather than for sale. This type of farming typically relies on small plots of land.

**Land Tenure Systems**: Eswatini has traditional land tenure systems where land is often communally owned, and individuals or families are allocated small parcels for agricultural use. This promotes small-scale farming as households cultivate their assigned plots.

**Economic Constraints**: Being a least developed country, Eswatini faces economic constraints that limit investment in large-scale commercial agriculture. Small-scale farming is more feasible for many farmers, as it requires less capital and can be managed with local labor.

**Cultural Practices**: Farming is an integral part of the cultural identity in many communities in Eswatini. Small-scale agriculture reflects traditional practices and relies on indigenous knowledge, which is often passed down through generations.

**Soil and Climate Conditions**: The diverse microclimates and varying soil types in Eswatini may lend themselves to small-scale agricultural practices, allowing farmers to cultivate a variety of crops suited to local conditions.

**Access to Markets**: While smallholders face challenges in accessing markets, many local communities prioritize small-scale production for food security. Smallholders are often integrated into local supply chains, even if they do not participate significantly in larger regional or national markets.

**Land Use Policies**: Government policies and programs often support smallholder agriculture in Eswatini, aiming to improve food security and rural livelihoods. These initiatives may lead to an increase in the number of small farms.

**Infrastructural Limitations**: The lack of infrastructure for large-scale agriculture, such as irrigation systems, roads, and storage facilities, means that small-scale farming remains the dominant practice, as it requires fewer resources and can adapt more easily to the available infrastructure.

Together, these factors contribute to the prevalence of small-scale cropland in Eswatini, reflecting the country’s socio-economic realities and cultural values.