Dairy production is an important activity in Eswatini (Swaziland) as it is a source of income and employment generation for small and marginal farmers. For catalysing improved performance of the Dairy industry in Eswatini, Eswatini Dairy Board was established.  This study aims at contributing to the scanty information related to the contribution of EDB on small-scale dairy farmers’ performance. The study used descriptive and quantitative research design to analyse the contribution of Eswatini Dairy Board on small-scale dairy farmers’ performance in Manzini, of Eswatini (Swaziland).The present analysis also highlighted the challenges faced by the dairy farmers.  The present study was based on 88 dairy farmers. In those 88 dairy farmers, 67 were supported by EDB and small-scale dairy farmers and 21 were not supported by EDB dairy farmers (Non-EDB members). Results indicated that majority of the dairy farmers were male with mean age of 52 years and majority of these farmers had attained high school education. In terms of EDB contribution to farmers’ productivity, results indicate that farmers supported by EDB were producing 2 more litres of milk per cow than non-EDB supported farmers, and the mean difference in milk output per cow was significant (P<0.01). The findings further showed that EDB supported farmers were earning significantly more profit (E1 649 per cow/month) compared to EDB non-supported farmers (E1 329 per cow/month), indicating a significant difference of E320 (P<0.01). It can be concluded that support from EDB had a positive and significant contribution on small-scale dairy farmer’s productivity and profitability in Eswatini. Among major challenges faced by farmers included high feed costs, low milk prices, poor veterinary services, lack of financial resources. The study recommends that stakeholders in the industry including government, private sector, NGOs and CBOs need to develop more strategies that promote veterinary service subsidies and other dairy farm   input subsidies, improve on dairy markets, and increased access to farm credit.

Keywords: Contribution, Small scale dairy farmers, Profitability, Eswatini Dairy Board