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Food security in Southern Africa: Causes and responses from across the region
18 March 2003, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria
A meeting hosted by the Southern African Regional Poverty Network in collaboration with CARE International and the French Institute of South Africa
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[Background and purpose]
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Abstract
Food security situation in the Southern African Region is very critical with some countries reported facing the worst significant food shortages of the decade. Most food insecurity problems are associated with war and civil strife. In peaceful, democratic and open countries with good macroeconomic management, the situation is not critical. Botswana's food security situation is stable, and is largely attributable to peace, democracy and good macro-economic management. The country has adopted food security approach in the 1990s and has an extensive food security safety net that accommodates the vulnerable groups in society. The early warning system is also very effective. The major constraint in the economy is heavy reliance on diamonds and a small population. There are attempts to diversify the economy. Long-term food security objectives should rely on regional trade and export led growth based on the exploitation of areas of potential in agriculture that will rely on the wider regional market. Finally, land use and planning should be an integral part of future agricultural policy to ensure the conservation of communal land and sustainability of the livestock sector among the poor.
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