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内容記述 |
Smallholder farms are vital to Eswatini’s agricultural economy, blending traditional knowledge with entrepreneurial principles to drive sustainability and innovation. This study examines the entrepreneurial journey of eleven smallholder farmers, exploring their traits, processes, and competencies essential for sustainable agribusiness. Despite limited formal training, these agri-entrepreneurs demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking in opportunity recognition, venture creation, and business growth. Key competencies identified include business and managerial skills, market understanding, innovation adoption, interpersonal abilities, risk management, and sustainability orientation. Findings reveal that while smallholder farmers are motivated by both opportunity and necessity, their approach to entrepreneurship is often reactive rather than proactive, with limited use of feasibility assessments and structured financial planning. Additionally, access to capital remains a challenge, with a preference for equity funding over debt financing. The study highlights the role of government and institutional support in enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities, advocating for targeted training, financial incentives, and infrastructure improvements. By bridging theory with practice, this research contributes to the discourse on sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship and offers practical recommendations for fostering innovation and resilience among smallholder farmers in Eswatini and beyond. |
EMS_2025_02.pdf (429 KB)
