Swazi Observer

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END FOOD WEAPONISATION IN AFRICA - PM

By SIBUSISO DLAMINI | 2025-01-13

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has called for robust measures to ensure Africa’s agricultural independence, warning against the weaponisation of food.

He said this when making remarks during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Uganda.

Addressing African Heads of State and development partners at the summit held at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala, the premier emphasised that the continent must protect its food systems from external vulnerabilities while accelerating efforts to achieve food sovereignty.

He called attention to the link between food security and economic sovereignty, cautioning against external dependancies that leave African nations vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.

“In our pursuit of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, we must prioritise the protection of Africa’s genetic resources and ensure that food is never weaponised against our people,” Dlamini said, urging leaders to prioritise self-reliance in agricultural production.

“Our food must remain a source of sustenance and economic growth, not a tool for control or exploitation,” he added, emphasising that the safety of Africa’s food supply must remain a cornerstone of agricultural policies.

The PM’s remarks came against the backdrop of alarming food insecurity statistics on the continent.

He highlighted findings from the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition Report, which revealed that one in five Africans faced hunger in 2023. Additionally, 21.5 per cent of people in 59 countries experienced acute food insecurity, requiring urgent assistance.

Dlamini attributed these figures to recent global economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which have eroded 15 years of progress in combating hunger.

He also painted a sobering picture of the country’s own struggles, with approximately 28 per cent of the population currently requiring food assistance.

Despite these challenges, the PM outlined the country’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector through ambitious policies aligned with the CAADP agenda.
He shared details of the country’s flagship initiatives, such as the Eswatini Agriculture Development Fund, which seeks to leverage private sector investment and reduce the cost of agricultural financing.

financing
“Our approach focuses on remodelling public financing, enhancing market linkages for smallholder farmers, and digitalising agriculture through an integrated agriculture information system,” Dlamini stated.

The PM also lauded the recently launched Eswatini National Agriculture Investment Plan (ENAIP) 2023-2028, describing it as a systematic roadmap for boosting productivity, strengthening climate resilience and fostering youth participation in agribusiness.

“These efforts align with the Kampala CAADP Declaration’s six objectives, which we believe, if fully implemented, will unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and ensure prosperity for our people,” he said.

The premier urged the African Union (AU) to bolster member states’ efforts by mobilising resources and integrating the new CAADP Declaration into national policies, calling for the establishment of robust information systems to enable evidence-based planning and reporting, stressing the need for targeted interventions to achieve food security goals.

He highlighted the importance of climate adaptation, including expanding irrigation coverage and adopting advanced irrigation technologies, as critical to building resilient food systems. The prime minister also championed contract farming and backward integration as tools to commercialise agriculture and guarantee fair prices for farmers.

“We must transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. The days of relying solely on the hoe must give way to modern, scalable practices,” he said.

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