By Mbongeni Ndlela
MBABANE – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for urgent reforms to transform agriculture across the continent.
Speaking under the theme “Sustainable and Resilient Agrifood Systems for a Healthy and Prosperous Africa,” the PM urged leaders to move beyond talk and take bold, unified steps.
The premier reflected on the progress achieved since the 2003 Maputo Declaration, which put agriculture at the forefront of Africa’s development agenda. Building on the 2014 Malabo Declaration, African nations have made strides in combating hunger and boosting economic growth. However, global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have reversed much of this progress. In 2023, one in five Africans faced hunger—a statistic too dire to ignore.
Under the leadership of King Mswati III, Eswatini has become a model of agricultural transformation. The country’s 2nd Generation National Agriculture Investment Plan (ENAIP) (2023–2028) prioritizes:
• Boosting productivity.
• Building climate resilience.
• Linking smallholder farmers to markets.
• Attracting private sector investment through initiatives like the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund.
These efforts, coupled with digital agriculture systems and targeted policy reforms, demonstrate what’s possible when commitment meets innovation.
Dlamini hailed the Kampala CAADP Declaration as a roadmap for success. Its six objectives, if fully implemented, promise to overhaul agrifood systems, eradicate hunger, and unlock economic growth. He called on the African Union to mobilize resources, improve data systems for informed decision-making, and ensure countries are equipped to deliver.
Acknowledging the severe impact of climate change, Dlamini emphasized the need for adaptive and resilient farming practices. Expanding irrigation, modernizing farming methods, and promoting contract farming to ensure fair prices were highlighted as key steps to make agriculture more than just a subsistence activity.
Dlamini’s message was clear: the time for action is now. Africa has the resources, talent, and potential to feed itself and drive global growth. But potential alone won’t secure the future. It’s time to implement practical solutions, foster collaboration, and invest in the continent’s most vital sector—agriculture.
“The future is in our hands,” Dlamini declared. “Let us move with speed to secure it.”
