E.M. NxumaloMalkerns Research Station, Malkerns, Swaziland
Swaziland is located in the southeast of Africa, and has 875 000 inhabitants. On the basis of physiography and rainfall distribution, it is divided into three regions: highveld, middleveld and lowveld. The Vertisols are found in the entire lowveld region, at an altitude of 213 m.
Sugarcane and cotton are the major commercial crops in Swaziland; sugar is the largest exported commodity. The three big sugar companies, together with neighbouring estates, grow sugarcane and cotton on the Vertisols under irrigation.
Government-managed cattle ranching stations-sisa ranches, cattle breeding stations and fattening ranches-are also situated in the lowveld region
There is great potential for developing livestock management and sugarcane and cotton production on the Vertisols of Swaziland.
