Related Keywords: cotton industry a source of livelihood, Cotton second major cash crop, cultural control for cotton pest, decline of cotton price, hit Swaziland local cotton industry, in Swaziland, main source of income, world market
Cotton is the second major cash crop after sugarcane in Swaziland and the main source of income for small scale famers, especially those in drought prone areas. The cotton industry is currently under performing yet the cotton industry used to be a source of livelihood for 40 000 Swazis. Farmers grow cotton to pay school fees, build houses, buy food and clothes.