By Bahle Gama
PRIME Minister Russell Dlamini has expressed Eswatini’s strong support for the new Kampala CAADP Declaration, describing it as a transformative initiative with the potential to revolutionize agriculture and food security across Africa.
Speaking at the Extraordinary Summit of AU Heads of State and Government on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Kampala, Uganda,
the Prime Minister said the declaration could unlock significant economic growth and prosperity while addressing hunger and poverty—a key priority under His Majesty King Mswati III’s commission to the government.
A Vision for Agricultural Transformation
Held under the theme: “Sustainable and Resilient Agrifood Systems for a Healthy and Prosperous Africa,” the summit focused on endorsing the draft Kampala Declaration, which outlines a vision for transforming Africa’s agrifood systems between 2026 and 2035.
The declaration is complemented by a 10-year Strategy and Action Plan that details how to achieve its ambitious goals.
Dlamini called for robust support from the African Union (AU) to assist member states in integrating the declaration into their national investment plans and mobilizing resources to fund these initiatives effectively.
It would also be appreciated if the AU, at the continental level, could support robust resource mobilization to assist countries in funding their plans in line with the declaration,” he said.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen information systems to improve evidence-based planning and reporting, drawing on lessons from the Biennial Review Reports.
“We believe that more vigorous and targeted interventions can be rolled out to achieve the desired targets and ensure prosperity for our nations and the continent at large,” Dlamini said.
RELATED:PM jets out, to represents Eswatini at High-Level meetings in Botswana and Uganda
He underscored the pressing need for robust climate adaptation and resilience programs to safeguard Africa’s agrifood systems against the adverse effects of climate change.
Priorities for Agricultural Development
The Prime Minister highlighted several priorities for improving agriculture, including increasing the total area under irrigation and advancing irrigation technologies.
He also advocated for contract farming and backward integration as mechanisms to guarantee markets and fair prices for farmers, thus promoting agriculture as a commercial enterprise rather than a subsistence activity.
“We are not going to get far with ploughing alone; we need to bring some commercialization into our food production initiatives,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of protecting Africa’s genetic makeup and seed production, ensuring food safety, and avoiding the weaponization of food against the continent.
Dlamini called for practical programs and projects to address Africa’s agricultural challenges, transforming the continent’s potential into tangible outcomes.
The future of the next generation is in our hands; let us move with speed towards securing it,” he concluded.
Building on Past Successes
Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE),
and the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), the summit brought together African leaders to build on the successes of the Malabo Declaration (2014–2025).
This earlier declaration reaffirmed commitments to agricultural development under CAADP and set ambitious targets for eradicating hunger, tripling intra-African trade, and building resilient livelihoods.
Despite progress, the 2024 African Union Assembly expressed concerns that the continent is not on track to meet the Malabo Declaration’s goals by 2025.
This has spurred the development of a post-Malabo CAADP agenda to address emerging challenges and build resilient agrifood systems.
Eswatini’s Commitment to CAADP
Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, Eswatini has prioritized CAADP implementation through flagship programs aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, building climate resilience, and enhancing smallholder access to markets.
The country has also focused on increasing investment in agriculture and strengthening institutional arrangements to systematically transform its food systems into inclusive, sustainable, and competitive frameworks.
At the summit, Prime Minister Dlamini highlighted Eswatini’s progress, including the launch of the 2nd Generation Instrument-Based National Agriculture Investment Plan (2023–2028) during the “Eswatini Agriculture Business and Investment Indaba” in September 2024.
RELATED:Agriculture budget should be 10% of national budget – MP
“I would like to appreciate the participation of the AU Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, SADC, CCARDESA, and all our development partners and urge all of you to continue supporting Eswatini to aggressively implement the CAADP Agenda as captured in the Eswatini National Agricultural Investment Plan (ENAIP),” he said.
Dlamini commended African leadership for maintaining agriculture as a high priority on the development agenda since the 2003 Maputo Declaration, which laid the foundation for CAADP.
He also recognized the importance of mutual accountability and biennial reviews in driving agricultural transformation.
Addressing Challenges
While acknowledging progress, the Prime Minister pointed out persistent challenges such as climate change, low productivity in food value chains, limited value addition, high input costs, and rising food prices.
He emphasized the need for governments and the AU to intensify efforts to address these challenges and ensure food security.
Dlamini cited the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition Report, which highlighted the global setbacks caused by economic disruptions, including Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War. As of 2023, around one in five people in Africa faced hunger, with 21.5% of the population in 59 countries experiencing acute food insecurity.
In Eswatini, about 28% of the population is identified as vulnerable and in need of food assistance.
“These figures highlight the critical need for effective agricultural policies and interventions to address food insecurity on the continent.
By speeding up the implementation of CAADP, African nations can reduce these alarming statistics and attain food security and sustainable agricultural growth for their populations,” he said.
Driving Agricultural Transformation
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has played a pivotal role in transforming African agriculture since its inception in 2003.
Its goals include increasing food security and nutrition, reducing rural poverty, creating employment, and contributing to economic development while safeguarding the environment.
Building on the 2003 Maputo Declaration and the 2014 Malabo Declaration, CAADP aims for a 6% annual agricultural growth rate and the allocation of at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture.
The program underscores the importance of related sectors such as infrastructure and rural development in achieving its objectives.
A Call for Action
The Kampala CAADP Declaration presents an opportunity for African nations to reaffirm their commitment to agricultural transformation.
By implementing the declaration’s 10-year Strategy and Action Plan, countries can address the persistent challenges of food insecurity and build resilient agrifood systems.
Prime Minister Dlamini’s call to action emphasized the importance of turning Africa’s potential into reality, securing productivity, food sovereignty, and meaningful economic growth.
“The future of the next generation is in our hands; let us move with speed towards securing it,” he said, urging all stakeholders to act decisively.
The Kampala CAADP Declaration represents a significant step forward in Africa’s journey towards a sustainable and prosperous future.
By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and promoting inclusive agricultural growth, the continent can unlock its full potential and achieve the vision of “The Africa We Want.”
