ESWATINI TO REMODEL PUBLIC AGRICULTURE FINANCING

MBABANE – Government is looking into the remodelling of public financing for agriculture through the new Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund (EADF).
This was highlighted by the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini, during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the comprehensive Africa agriculture development programme (CAADP) strategy and action plan 2026 – 2035. The summit was held in Speke Resort, Munyonyo Kampala, Uganda. Dlamini said the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund aims at leveraging private sector investment and reducing the cost of finance in the sector; improving horizontal and vertical coordination through the establishment of inclusive agriculture industry associations.

Agreements

He said it also aims to develop specific commodity sector development plan agreements to be used as investment master plans for both government and agriculture industry association players; the establishment of the integrated agriculture information system aimed at digitalising agriculture and traceability for improved trade and a number of policy instruments to promote self-sustenance of food value chains and youth opportunities in agribusiness. Dlamini said the Government of Eswatini welcomes the new Kampala CAADP Declaration. He said they believe that if fully supported and implemented, the six objectives of the declaration will transform the agriculture and food industry landscape on the continent.
He said this will unlock overall economic growth and prosperity for the people, thus ending hunger and poverty, which incidentally, is His Majesty’s commission to the current government.  

“In this regard, we implore the AU to support member States in implementing this declaration and integrating it into their national investment plans,” he said. The PM added that it would also be appreciated if the AU, at the continental level, could support robust resource mobilisation to assist countries in funding their plans in line with the declaration. He stated that lessons from the Biennial Review Reports indicate that countries need support to strengthen their information systems to improve evidence-based planning and reporting. He said they also believe on this basis more vigorous and targeted interventions can be rolled out to timely achieve the desired targets and ensure prosperity for our nations and the continent at large.  “We believe that the impact of climate change is real and significant. “Therefore, as African states, we need robust and effective adaptation and resilience programmes for our Agrifood systems to thrive,” said the PM. He added that improving the total area under irrigation as well as improving irrigation technologies is a case in point.  

Promote

He said contract farming and backward integration that guarantees a market and fair prices to all farmers will promote agriculture as a commercial undertaking rather than a subsistence activity. He underscored that protection of the genetic make-up and production of seed material is key. He said this includes the safety of food and avoidance of weaponisation of this against Africa and its people.  Dlamini added that practical projects and programmes need to be implemented to turn around the plight of Africa.  The PM highlighted that since the 2003 Maputo Declaration, African agriculture has been placed high on the development agenda. He said for this, he commended the continent’s leadership for their vision towards attaining food sovereignty and prosperity at both national and continental levels. He said the 2014 Malabo Declaration reaffirmed the goals of the Maputo Declaration and has seen vigorous implementation and reporting by all countries, confirming the significance of the agriculture and food industry in ending hunger and achieving inclusive and sustainable growth for the continent.  

Challenges

Dlamini mentioned that while challenges persist, including climate change, less than expected productivity of food value chains, constraints on access and affordability of inputs, limited value addition and high food prices, it is imperative for our governments and the AU to stay the course on efforts geared at changing the situation. He noted that according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition Report of 2024, the globe has lost 15 years of progress due to recent economic disruptions, including COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War.
“As of 2023, around one in five people in Africa faced hunger. Additionally, 21.5 per cent of the population in 59 countries/territories experienced high levels of acute food insecurity, requiring urgent food and livelihood assistance.In the Kingdom of Eswatini, our most recent vulnerability assessment identifies about 28 per cent of the population as vulnerable and needing food assistance,” he said.

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