Assessment of Market Readiness of Farmers at Vikizijula, Siphofaneni in Eswatini (Swaziland)

Market readiness of farmers is the preparation of the product of farmer to be availed in the
market. The objective of this study was to assess the willingness of the farmers to sell their
agricultural products and to determine the factors affecting their willingness to sell their
products at Vikizijula. A quantitative survey was conducted through structured
questionnaires. By calculating the registered farmers under Smallholder Market-Led Project
at Vikizijula, 54 farmers were interviewed through census survey method. A group of nine
bee-keeping farmers already in the market attended the group discussion. The results
provided that94% of farmers weregrowing crops for self-consumption whereas all the
farmers were rearing livestock for selling as well as for self-consumption. Disease outbreak
was the major problems faced by the farmer during their crop production as well as livestock
rearing. Farmers werewilling to sell their agricultural products and their willingness to sell
is mostly influenced by the price for their agricultural product followed by more demand for
their products.The study recommended for further investigation on farmers failure to supply
even if their production increases in the future.