Towards Towards RealisationRealisation of Food Security in of Food Security in the City of Tshwanethe City of Tshwane

Dr Lovemore RugubeDr Lovemore RugubeVisiting Senior Lecturer, Postgraduate School of Agriculture and Visiting Senior Lecturer, Postgraduate School of Agriculture and

Rural Development, University of PretoriaRural Development, University of Pretoriaandand

Department of Agricultural Economics and ExtensionDepartment of Agricultural Economics and ExtensionUniversity of ZimbabweUniversity of Zimbabwe

Prof Charles L. MachetheProf Charles L. MachetheDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural

DevelopmentDevelopmentandand

Postgraduate School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Postgraduate School of Agriculture and Rural Development, University of PretoriaUniversity of Pretoria

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

1.1. Introduction and BackgroundIntroduction and Background2.2. Concept of Food Security/ InsecurityConcept of Food Security/ Insecurity3.3. Food Security Situation in South AfricaFood Security Situation in South Africa4.4. Food Security Situation in the City of TshwaneFood Security Situation in the City of Tshwane5.5. Why Food Insecurity/Hunger/Poverty?Why Food Insecurity/Hunger/Poverty?6.6. Food Insecurity Strategies: Lessons from Global Food Insecurity Strategies: Lessons from Global

ExperiencesExperiences7.7. Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in

TshwaneTshwane8.8. Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions

IntroductionIntroduction

South Africa is largely self-sufficient in food South Africa is largely self-sufficient in food but 1.5 million children suffer from chronic but 1.5 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and14 million people are malnutrition, and14 million people are vulnerable to food insecurity (World Bank, vulnerable to food insecurity (World Bank, 2003). 2003).

Most food insecurity and poverty are rural, Most food insecurity and poverty are rural, especially in former homeland areas.especially in former homeland areas.

Urban food insecurity and poverty are also Urban food insecurity and poverty are also major problems. major problems.

What is Food Security?What is Food Security?

WFS definition: “Food security exists when all people at all times, WFS definition: “Food security exists when all people at all times, have physical an economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious have physical an economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. and healthy life”. SA’s Integrated Food Security Strategy definition: “ … physical, SA’s Integrated Food Security Strategy definition: “ … physical, social an economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food by all social an economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food by all South Africans at all times to meet their dietary and food preferences South Africans at all times to meet their dietary and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.for an active and healthy life”.Above definitions almost the same and emphasize:Above definitions almost the same and emphasize:AvailabilityAvailability: physical presence of food at different levels.: physical presence of food at different levels.AccessAccess: ability to obtain food.: ability to obtain food.UtilizationUtilization: ability to covert food to energy.: ability to covert food to energy.Stability/sustainabilityStability/sustainability: ability to sustain availability of food.: ability to sustain availability of food.

Food Insecurity Food Insecurity

Failure to achieve food security = Food insecurity.Failure to achieve food security = Food insecurity.

Food insecurity not necessarily the result of inability to produce Food insecurity not necessarily the result of inability to produce enough food but largely inability to purchase it.enough food but largely inability to purchase it.

Roots of food insecurity range from improper macroeconomic Roots of food insecurity range from improper macroeconomic policies to economic and political structures inhibiting access to policies to economic and political structures inhibiting access to food.food.

Transitory food insecurity: temporary decline in access to food -- Transitory food insecurity: temporary decline in access to food -- results from instability in production and prices or incomes.results from instability in production and prices or incomes.

Chronic food insecurity: continuously inadequate diet (access) -- Chronic food insecurity: continuously inadequate diet (access) -- results from lack of means to produce or acquire food – attributed to results from lack of means to produce or acquire food – attributed to poverty.poverty.

Food Security Situation in South AfricaFood Security Situation in South Africa

While South Africa produces sufficient food, this in While South Africa produces sufficient food, this in no way ensures food security at household level.no way ensures food security at household level. About 35% of the total population, or 14.3 million About 35% of the total population, or 14.3 million South Africans are vulnerable to food insecurity.South Africans are vulnerable to food insecurity.

Poverty continues to be the main factor in household Poverty continues to be the main factor in household food insecurity. food insecurity.

Proportion of people living in poverty in South Proportion of people living in poverty in South Africa has not changed significantly over the years. Africa has not changed significantly over the years.

Many households have sunk deeper into poverty and Many households have sunk deeper into poverty and the gap between rich and poor has widened. the gap between rich and poor has widened.

Food Security Situation in South Africa Food Security Situation in South Africa contd.contd.

About 57% of individuals in South Africa were living About 57% of individuals in South Africa were living below the poverty income line in 2001, unchanged from below the poverty income line in 2001, unchanged from 1996.1996. Limpopo and Eastern Cape had the highest proportion of Limpopo and Eastern Cape had the highest proportion of the poor (77% and 72%, respectively).the poor (77% and 72%, respectively). Western Cape had the lowest proportion in poverty (32%), Western Cape had the lowest proportion in poverty (32%), followed by Gauteng (42%). followed by Gauteng (42%). Major city with the lowest poverty rate is Cape Town Major city with the lowest poverty rate is Cape Town (30%). (30%). Pretoria and Johannesburg have somewhat higher rates of Pretoria and Johannesburg have somewhat higher rates of 35% and 38%, respectively, while Durban has a rate of 35% and 38%, respectively, while Durban has a rate of 44%. 44%.

Food Security Situation in TshwaneFood Security Situation in Tshwane

The city of Tshwane has a population of just over a million The city of Tshwane has a population of just over a million people and the poverty rate is about 35 percent. people and the poverty rate is about 35 percent. Can infer from above that about 35% of the population of Can infer from above that about 35% of the population of the city are food insecure.the city are food insecure.Food insecurity is rising in the City due to diminishing Food insecurity is rising in the City due to diminishing accessibility of food to the poor and limited access to accessibility of food to the poor and limited access to resources for agricultural purposes. resources for agricultural purposes. Food insecurity in the city persists despite having a large Food insecurity in the city persists despite having a large rural area within its municipal boundaries.rural area within its municipal boundaries.Availability of agricultural land opens up the possibility of Availability of agricultural land opens up the possibility of addressing food insecurity through agricultural activities. addressing food insecurity through agricultural activities. Main challenge for the City is to unlock untapped potential Main challenge for the City is to unlock untapped potential in agriculture.in agriculture.

Why Food Insecurity/Poverty/Hunger?Why Food Insecurity/Poverty/Hunger? Lack of food entitlement is the main reason for existence of Lack of food entitlement is the main reason for existence of food insecurity (trade-based, production-based, own-labour food insecurity (trade-based, production-based, own-labour & inheritance and transfer entitlement).& inheritance and transfer entitlement).

Causes of hunger/food insecurity related to those of Causes of hunger/food insecurity related to those of poverty. poverty.

Rising food prices due to rising production costs.Rising food prices due to rising production costs.

Poor people most affected by rising food prices as they Poor people most affected by rising food prices as they spent most of their income on food.spent most of their income on food.

High rate of unemployment exacerbated food High rate of unemployment exacerbated food insecurity/hunger/poverty for rural and urban poor. insecurity/hunger/poverty for rural and urban poor.

Lack of adequate education also contributes to food Lack of adequate education also contributes to food insecurity/poverty/hunger. insecurity/poverty/hunger.

Why Food Insecurity/Poverty/Hunger? contd.Why Food Insecurity/Poverty/Hunger? contd.

Drought and floods lead to inadequate and unstable Drought and floods lead to inadequate and unstable food production (transitory food insecurity). food production (transitory food insecurity).

Rising population growth. Rising population growth.

Inadequate safety nets.Inadequate safety nets.

Weak support networks and disaster management Weak support networks and disaster management systemssystems

HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS.

Addressing Food Insecurity: Lessons from Addressing Food Insecurity: Lessons from Global ExperiencesGlobal Experiences

Start at national level: Start at national level: food distribution systems, transport food distribution systems, transport & communications, early warning systems, and stock & & communications, early warning systems, and stock & trade policies. trade policies.

Rapid economic growth:Rapid economic growth: must differentially benefit the must differentially benefit the poor. poor.

Generate income earning opportunities:Generate income earning opportunities: people must earn people must earn sufficient incomes to acquire food.sufficient incomes to acquire food.

Rapid growth in food production: Rapid growth in food production: Smallholder agriculture Smallholder agriculture does contribute to food security and poverty alleviation.does contribute to food security and poverty alleviation.

Addressing Food Insecurity: Lessons from Addressing Food Insecurity: Lessons from Global Experiences contd.Global Experiences contd.

Temporary employment:Temporary employment: Public works program. Public works program.

Food price stabilisation:Food price stabilisation: to deal with insecurity to deal with insecurity resulting from price instability.resulting from price instability.

Income relief to victims:Income relief to victims: cash or in kind. cash or in kind.

Address the HIV/AIDS Address the HIV/AIDS issue.issue.

Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in the City of Tshwanethe City of Tshwane

The The 5-Year Strategic Plan 5-Year Strategic Plan for the City of Tshwane for the City of Tshwane identifies “identifies “fighting poverty and building clean, healthy, safe fighting poverty and building clean, healthy, safe and sustainable communities” and sustainable communities” as one of the key strategic as one of the key strategic objectives. objectives.

City of Tshwane proposes to fight poverty by accelerating City of Tshwane proposes to fight poverty by accelerating the growth of entrepreneurship and halving unemployment the growth of entrepreneurship and halving unemployment by 50 percent by 2014.by 50 percent by 2014.

Addressing food insecurity involves promoting farm and Addressing food insecurity involves promoting farm and non-farm activities and strengthening the linkages. non-farm activities and strengthening the linkages.

Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in the City of Tshwane (Agriculture-related)the City of Tshwane (Agriculture-related)

Addressing food insecurity and poverty requires Addressing food insecurity and poverty requires greater attention to smallholder agriculture.greater attention to smallholder agriculture.

Focus on supporting black farmers to ultimately Focus on supporting black farmers to ultimately become successful commercial farmers.become successful commercial farmers. Need to raise smallholder agricultural productivity Need to raise smallholder agricultural productivity on existing land.on existing land.

Lack of access to farmer support services and Lack of access to farmer support services and appropriate technology is a major reason for low appropriate technology is a major reason for low productivity of smallholder agriculture.productivity of smallholder agriculture.

Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in the City of Tshwane (Agriculture-related) the City of Tshwane (Agriculture-related)

contd.contd.

High value crops for niche markets would generate High value crops for niche markets would generate income and contribute to food security. income and contribute to food security. Small land portions could also be optimally utilized Small land portions could also be optimally utilized by employing intensive animal production methods. by employing intensive animal production methods. Value adding processing of raw material such as Value adding processing of raw material such as canning and other forms of packaging will greatly canning and other forms of packaging will greatly enhance land utilization and create jobs at the same enhance land utilization and create jobs at the same time increasing revenue. time increasing revenue. Urban agriculture is proving to be important in Urban agriculture is proving to be important in reducing food insecurity and poverty in urban centersreducing food insecurity and poverty in urban centers

Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in the City of Tshwane (Nonfarm-related)the City of Tshwane (Nonfarm-related)

Enhancing the incomes and income generating Enhancing the incomes and income generating capacity of vulnerable groups in urban and rural capacity of vulnerable groups in urban and rural areas.areas.Social security and welfare services; Ensuring Social security and welfare services; Ensuring effective and targeted access by eligible individuals effective and targeted access by eligible individuals to social security welfare services and targeted to social security welfare services and targeted benefits.benefits.Disaster mitigation; Protecting livelihoods during Disaster mitigation; Protecting livelihoods during periods of stress caused by national disasters.periods of stress caused by national disasters.Food consumption and nutrition; Promoting Food consumption and nutrition; Promoting nutritious diets and a safe food supplynutritious diets and a safe food supply..

Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in Strategies for Addressing Food Insecurity in the City of Tshwane (Nonfarm-related)the City of Tshwane (Nonfarm-related)

Enhancing the incomes and income generating capacity of Enhancing the incomes and income generating capacity of vulnerable groups in urban and rural areas.vulnerable groups in urban and rural areas.Social security and welfare services -- ensure effective Social security and welfare services -- ensure effective and targeted access by eligible individuals.and targeted access by eligible individuals.Disaster mitigation -- protect livelihoods during periods of Disaster mitigation -- protect livelihoods during periods of stress caused by national disasters.stress caused by national disasters.Food consumption and nutrition -- promote nutritious Food consumption and nutrition -- promote nutritious diets and a safe food supply.diets and a safe food supply.Initiatives like Capital Food Initiative and Food Bank Initiatives like Capital Food Initiative and Food Bank should be supported to become sustainable. should be supported to become sustainable.

Summary & ConclusionSummary & ConclusionSouth Africa is largely self-sufficient in food but 1.5 South Africa is largely self-sufficient in food but 1.5 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and14 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition, and14 million people are vulnerable to food insecuritymillion people are vulnerable to food insecurityUnemployment continues to increase and household Unemployment continues to increase and household incomes are low to sustain many households. incomes are low to sustain many households. Many South Africans living in rural areas and some urban Many South Africans living in rural areas and some urban areas are poor and food insecure and subjected to poverty areas are poor and food insecure and subjected to poverty andand hunger. hunger.A strategic long-term approach to food security is A strategic long-term approach to food security is therefore required. therefore required.

Lack of food entitlement is the main reason for existence Lack of food entitlement is the main reason for existence of food insecurity (trade-based, production-based, own-of food insecurity (trade-based, production-based, own-labour & inheritance and transfer entitlement).labour & inheritance and transfer entitlement).

Summary & Conclusion (contd)Summary & Conclusion (contd)The most important among this is provision of The most important among this is provision of resources for own production particularly in rural resources for own production particularly in rural areas. areas. Land access becomes very important in this respect. Land access becomes very important in this respect. Although land access is not a sufficient condition Although land access is not a sufficient condition for household food security it can contribute for household food security it can contribute significantly in reducing households’ vulnerability significantly in reducing households’ vulnerability to food insecurity.to food insecurity.

Addressing food insecurity and poverty requires Addressing food insecurity and poverty requires greater attention to smallholder agriculture.greater attention to smallholder agriculture.

Urban agriculture is proving to be important in Urban agriculture is proving to be important in reducing food insecurity and poverty in urban reducing food insecurity and poverty in urban centerscenters

Summary & Conclusion (contd)Summary & Conclusion (contd)

Addressing food insecurity involves promoting farm and Addressing food insecurity involves promoting farm and non-farm activities and strengthening the linkages. non-farm activities and strengthening the linkages.

Enhancing the incomes and income generating Enhancing the incomes and income generating capacity of vulnerable groups in urban and rural capacity of vulnerable groups in urban and rural areas.areas.

Social security and welfare services.Social security and welfare services.

Initiatives like Capital Food Initiative and Food Initiatives like Capital Food Initiative and Food Bank should be supported to become sustainable.Bank should be supported to become sustainable.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU