Diet, nutrition, and agricultural development in Swaziland. 3. Household economics and demography

Studies linking agricultural development with food consumption and nutrition have concentrated on cash cropping and on the effects of changes in income. This paper uses models drawn from Farming Systems and the new household economics to examine economic and demographic factors affecting diet and food consumption for progressive farmers in Swaziland. Production factors are more closely linked to food consumption than to nutritional status of either women or children. In general, hybrid maize production is positively associated with consumption and cotton production is negatively associated. More mature households with fewer preschool children have higher consumption levels. Women's time use and opportunities for off‐farm employment may be important variables mediating nutritional status of women and children in rural Swazi households.

Key words:

• Food consumption
• nutrition
• agricultural development
• Southern Africa