Whilst food production undoubtedly influences food. Household food security status in south africa article pdf available in agrekon 484 december 2009 with 4,636 reads how we measure reads. Conflict and food insecurity in south sudan africa center. Agriculture and food insecurity risk management in africa. Local contexts provide a better understanding of peoples experiences by studying the impact their geographical location has on their economic status, and the impact their raced and gendered identities have on that experience. Apr 19, 2012 in 2012, food insecurity is still a major global concern as 1 billion people are suffering from starvation, under, and malnutrition, and the food and agriculture organization of the united nations fao has concluded that we are still far from reaching millennium development goal mdg number 1. This article maps food insecurity in south africa and plumbs the data to womenheaded households at the municipal level. Some possible solutions while it is true that the food insecurity problems in africa are complex and will not all be solved overnight, there has been some progress made on this important issue. In south africa, several studies have assessed the degree and impact of food insecurity. Food insecurity is a reality for millions of south africans. Dimensions of the food security problem in south africa introduction food security is becoming an increasingly important concept in south africa, specially in the light of the periodical droughts experienced on the subcontinent. South africa is amongst the countries with the highest rate of income inequality in the world and extremely high levels of absolute poverty stats sa, 2014. The research revealed that transitory and chronic food insecurity malnutrition in the sadc region exists due to the problems experienced with both the supply and demand sides of the food security equation. What is the subject of wide ranging debate among scholars.
Pdf factors contributing to household food insecurity in. Southern and eastern africa, many countries suffered from drought. Insecurity has impeded aid groups ability to mount an adequate. Food security and vulnerability key definitions defining food security 37 a1. As a result, food security in south africa is an issue of critical importance. Food insecurity in urban and rural areas according to three national surveys spanning 19992008, south africa.
The government has recognized several key food security challenges in the integrated food security strategy ifss. Food security in sa 30 march 2019 south african market. The deterioration of the food security situation and the lack of progress towards the who. Since food is an essential basic human need, it is even constitutionally declared as a need to be protected. Three national surveys show that in the ten years to 2008, food insecurity halved. Attention has been given to income generation and affordability of food in an urban context. Food insecurity among students at the university of the.
By directorate economic services production economics unit. Key challenges for ensuring food security in south africa. Fawole and others published food insecurity in africa in terms of causes, effects and solutions. Warehouse receipt system for men and women farmers in niger and tanzania 25. Dec 01, 2011 overall, between 1999 and 2008 the prevalence of food insecurity in south africa appears to have been reduced by more than half, from 52. Today, africa has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, placing the african population at a higher risk of food insecurity 7. May 19, 2015 this study determined the level and causes of food insecurity of 150 households, in the eastern cape province of south africa using the household food insecurity access prevalence hfiap and the household food insecurity access scale hfias. The effect of infrastructural challenges on food security.
In south africa, too, increased food production helps to alleviate poverty in its worst forms. Factors contributing to household food insecurity in. The confusing reality is that despite all the favourable indicators and south africas national foodsecure status, about 14 per cent of the population is estimated to be vulnerable to food insecurity, and 25 per cent of children under the age of six are reckoned to have had their development stunted by malnutrition hsrc, 2004. Today, africa struggles with many agricultural problems, such as insect pests like desert locusts, cattle diseases, erosion, water scarcity, and decreased soil fertility, that make the cultivation of crops challenging. Although south africa is food secure as a nation, many households remain food insecure. Issues of food security in south africa and faos role in. The crisis of food insecurity in african cities african food security. South africas food security as measured by statistics south. Loss of income resulting from the covid19 pandemic may lead to higher levels of food insecurity sa. This report presents the extent of food security in south africa by looking at households involvement. Humanitarian situation reports, response plans, news, analyses, evaluations, assessments, maps, infographics and more on southern africa. In south africa, social grants and the use of wild foods have been reported as some ways to improve household food insecurity and reduce poverty. Various reports and organizations have put forward suggestions over the years on how to find solutions to the problems with food insecurity were facing.
The effect of infrastructural challenges on food security in. Urban food security is the emerging development issue of this century, argues the african food security urban network afsun food security strategies of the urban poor, and how these are thwarted or enabled by markets, governments, civil society and donors, are critical. However, south africa still lacks specific and accepted methods to measure food security and currently has no regulated way of monitoring the food security status of its population. Food insecurity, especially when caused by higher food prices, heightens the risk of democratic breakdown, civil conflict, protest, rioting, and communal conflict. The objective of this thesis, therefore, was to investigate and assess the prevailing causes of food insecurity in southern africa. The introduction into food security and its measurement below comes directly from the report published by statistics south africa. Access to food as reflected in scores for food security, risk of hunger and experience of hunger food insecurity a using data from three national surveys, south africa html, 3kb. Landman 2004 indicates that food insecurity is a serious challenge that still persists in south africa after fifteen years of democracy.
A website dedicated to the book, how subsaharan africa can achieve food security, which presents sciencebased solutions to the food insecurity crisis. Many households are often primarily dependent on migrant remittances and social security grants, making them vulnerable to food insecurity. Poverty and food insecurity in southern african cities. Insecurity has impeded aid groups ability to mount an adequate response. That there has been a food crisis in southern africa needs no debate. The confusing reality is that despite all the favourable indicators and south africas national foodsecure status, about 14 per cent of the population is estimated to be vulnerable to food insecurity, and 25 per cent of children under the age of six are reckoned to have had.
Pdf household food security status in south africa researchgate. Household food insecurity in the poorest province of south. A case study of nigeria find, read and cite all the research you need. The hypothesis is that due to food insecurity in urban areas a spiral of urban based poverty is emerging.
Food security is about so much more than just how much food we grow. South africa does not yet have a structured system of dealing with food security disasters, such as droughts or floods. Oxfams 2015 report on food insecurity states that 25% of our population are food insecure now, while a further 25% are at risk of food insecurity. The first group the economically marginalized lack land, capital and tools, livestock, literacy and other formal skills. Oct 19, 2015 in south africa, several studies have assessed the degree and impact of food insecurity. Hivaids infection rate have all contributed to food insecurity in the country.
Africa regional overview of food security and nutrition food and. The rdp food security framework was then refined in subsequent. South africas agricultural expertise makes it a key partner for achieving goals to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition in the region. South africa is considered as food secure at national level, while households in the rural areas are food insecure. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in south africa one that every individual, organisation and government body should commit to ending. That the sadc region is facing growing food insecurity also needs no debate. Food insecurity is a reality for millions of south. As the world continues to face widespread food insecurity, achieving food security for all at all times is increasingly complicated. Regional overview of food security and nutrition 1 after a prolonged decline, hunger appears to be on the rise globallyimproved nutrition outcomes reflect a broad, 1 the 2030 sustainable development agenda and food security and nutrition targets 2 trends in food security and nutrition in africa 3 sdg indicator 2. South sudans current cholera outbreak is the longest, most widespread, and deadliest outbreak in the country since its 2011 independence, with 5,000 cases reported since january. However, the proportion of people at risk of experiencing food insecurity remained practically unchanged.
Jul 28, 2017 south sudans current cholera outbreak is the longest, most widespread, and deadliest outbreak in the country since its 2011 independence, with 5,000 cases reported since january. Towards measuring the extent of food security in south africa. Yet, one third of all food produced ends up in landfills. Boon tubers in africa is the lowest in comparison to the other regions of the world mcgranahm et al 1999. Despite the political and economic advances seen in south africa since 1994, the country is plagued by poverty. Statistics south africa stats sa has embarked on a series of three online webbased surveys to measure the impact of the covid19 pandemic on individuals in the country to assist government and other stakeholders in their response to the crisis. South africa is unlikely to feature at the top of the agenda at any international dialogue on food security. The following factors leading to food insecurity and hunger were identified by. Through feed the future, usaid is leveraging the technical expertise and investment of south africas public and private sectors to increase agricultural trade and the capacity of regional institutions. The country is a net exporter of agricultural commodities. Oct 26, 2018 food insecurity remains a pressing issue in south africa one that every individual, organisation and government body should commit to ending. This brief analyses the plight of food insecurity in urban areas with speci. This report will examine ways in which individuals can take control of the food supply, through the maintenance of food gardens, and will examine whether this improves their food supply and thus decreases their incidence of hunger or not.
Landman 2004 indicates that food in security is a serious challenge that still persists in south africa after fifteen years of democracy. In south africa the cause of hunger and malnutrition is not due to a shortage of food but rather an inadequate accessto food by certain categories of individuals and households in the population. Integrated food security strategy south africa food insecure population is empowered to have nutritious and safe food. Food insecurity among students at the university of the free state, south africa s afr j clin nutr 2015. Pdf food insecurity in africa in terms of causes, effects. Weak support networks and disaster management systems. In south africa the cause of hunger and malnutrition is not due to a shortage of food but rather an inadequate access to food by certain categories of individuals. About 56% of south africas population live in poverty stats sa, 2017 and almost 28% in extreme poverty, below the food poverty line stats sa. Their primary investigators were contacted to request. It is productivity enhancing, growth promoting and food insecurity reducing. Key challenges for ensuring food security in south africas.
Home about addressing the problem finding a solution upcoming events in the news retailers contact. Only three national surveys that used the cchip index to assess the level of food insecurity in south africa namely, the 1999 national food consumption survey nfcs, 11 the 2005 national food consumption survey fortification baseline i nfcs. It is estimated that south africa has carryover stocks from last season approximately 3. This study determined the level and causes of food insecurity of 150 households, in the eastern cape province of south africa using the household food insecurity access prevalence hfiap and the household food insecurity access scale hfias. Africa regional overview of food security and nutrition. Food insecurity in southern africa causes and emerging response options from evidence at regional, provincial and local scales alison anne misselhorn a thesis submitted to the faculty of science, university of the witwatersrand, johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy. The complex insecurity of hunger in south africa the. July 2006 those vulnerable to food insecurity are found in two, broadly defined, marginalized groups. Food insecurity among students at the university of the free state, south africa. Despite this, south africa produces enough food to feed the entire population.
Food security in rural areas of limpopo province, south africa. Factors contributing to household food insecurity in mhlontlo. In subsaharan africa, the number of people suffering. Nov 17, 2015 today, africa has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, placing the african population at a higher risk of food insecurity 7. Overall, between 1999 and 2008 the prevalence of food insecurity in south africa appears to have been reduced by more than half, from 52. Nutritional status of children under five years of age, by percentages 3. Dec 01, 2015 despite this, south africa produces enough food to feed the entire population. Fbi, 12 and the 2008 south african social attitudes survey sasas were included.
Issues of household food and nutrition security have received increasing worldwide attention recently as the impact of climate change and tough economic conditions puts new and additional stress on food systems. The p4p initiative of the world food programme wfp 24. The gini coefficient in south africa is estimated at 0. Food insecurity has worsened in countries affected by conflict, often exacerbated by drought or floods. The complex insecurity of hunger in south africa the mail. The maize farmers were chosen for this research, because maize is the most important cereal crop in subsahara africa, and it constitutes a major staple food in south africa, with the majority of. The south african government must implement measures to improve the undesirably high level. Food insecurity among students at the university of the free. The eastern cape province is characterised as one of the provinces which have high rates of food insecurity in the country. For example, in southern and eastern africa, many countries suffered from drought. In 2012, food insecurity is still a major global concern as 1 billion people are suffering from starvation, under, and malnutrition, and the food and agriculture organization of the united nations fao has concluded that we are still far from reaching millennium development goal mdg number 1.