Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa was experiencing a food crisis, but this was deepened by the lockdown. Low-income households bore the brunt: three million jobs were lost; two out of every five adults reported that their households had lost their main source of income; existing government funded feeding schemes closed; and social grants from government were slow to be paid out.
All of these factors had a grave effect on food security in the country: 47% of adults reported that their households ran out of money to buy food in April 2020 and, while this figure declined in May and June 2020, they were still well above pre-COVID-19 levels.
However, the pandemic has not just shed light on existing problems; it has also identified entities that might be able help to tackle these issues in the longer term: civil society organisations (CSOs).
In South Africa, these groups performed a heroic task during the initial COVID-19 crisis, supplying millions of meals to people in need. In the Western Cape, for example, CSOs provided more than half of the food aid distributed in the first few months of the lockdown, reaching 5,2 million people.
Without these organisations, the humanitarian crisis would have been far greater. However, their work is ongoing, as the need for emergency food aid has continued. This is because CSOs didn’t only respond to the effects of the pandemic, but also dealt with the fundamental inequalities of a food system that is designed to make profits for large corporate retailers and food-processing companies rather than provide the majority of people with safe and nutritious food.
Based on our research, we believe that CSOs should be drawn more formally into food governance. There are three main reasons for our argument.
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2021 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 05, 2021 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
