Eswatini has persistently experienced below average and dwindling maize production chiefly due to low rainfall characterized by erratic patterns. The objective of the study was to assess the potential of rainwater harvesting for rain-fed maize production in the Lubombo plateau. Rainy season characterization, determination of maize crop net irrigation requirements, and assessment of runoff potential and identification of suitable rainwater harvesting sites were carried out to achieve the objective of the study. Rainy season characterization was carried out in INSTAT Plus Statistical software. The net crop irrigation requirement was calculated using CROPWAT 8.0 while the ArcCN-Runoff tool was used to estimate the potential runoff volume generated in the study area. Multi-layer merging of rainfall, slope, soil texture and land use layers was performed in GIS environment to locate potential rainwater harvesting sites. The study revealed that the probabilities of prolonged dry spells are relatively higher during the maize growing season. Nearly 60% of the catchment's area was found to be suitable for rain water harvesting. Through harvesting runoff generated in croplands, the study established that 45% of the crop water requirement deficit could be met. This shows that there is high potential for rainwater harvesting and subsequent use of harvested water to stabilize maize yield in the Lubombo Plateau. These findings can facilitate better planning for rain-fed agriculture in Eswatini while minimizing related climate risks. This study also managed to bridge the literature gap in viability of rainwater harvesting for rain-fed agriculture in the country.

Eswatini一直经历低于平均水平的情况，玉米产量不断下降，主要是由于降雨少，格局不稳定。该研究的目的是评估鲁邦博高原雨水收集玉米生产雨养玉米的潜力。为了实现研究目的，进行了雨季表征，确定玉米作物净灌溉需求，评估径流潜力和确定合适的雨水收集地点。在INSTAT Plus Statistics软件中进行雨季表征。使用CROPWAT 8.0计算了农作物的净灌溉需求，而使用ArcCN-径流工具估算了研究区域潜在的径流量。降雨，坡度，在GIS环境中进行了土壤质地和土地利用层的定位，以找到潜在的雨水收集地点。研究表明，在玉米生长期，长期干旱的可能性相对较高。发现流域面积的近60％适于收集雨水。通过收获农田产生的径流，该研究确定可以满足45％的作物需水量。这表明在卢本博高原，雨水收集和随后使用收集的水稳定玉米产量的潜力很大。这些发现可以促进对Eswatini的雨养农业进行更好的规划，同时最大程度地减少相关的气候风险。