Gazetted in August 2014, the policy outlines South Africa’s latest attempts to deal with hunger and food insecurity. The policy is accompanied by a draft implementation plan.
Among the policy’s stated goals are increasing food production and distribution, as well as supporting community-based and small holder production. Approved by Cabinet in late 2013, the 21-page document also cites five pillars as underlying the policy’s strategies, including:
The need for improved nutritional safety nets by state, private and non-governmental actors;
Better nutritional education;
Increased investment in agricultural, particularly in rural areas, to improve the efficiency of food storage and distribution networks, as well as access to inputs;
Better market participation of emerging farmers through public-private partnerships; and
Food security risk management.
The policy also briefly touches on food security measures, the impact of climate change and the creation of a centralized food security control system.
The policy is also accompanied by a draft, 54-page implementation plan. This plan includes a rapid assessment of current food security measures in the country outlining challenges and weaknesses. The plan proposes conducting a baseline survey prior to implementation and once indicators have been agreed upon through workshops. It also proposes the development of a participatory monitoring and evaluation mechanism among other things.
Download the policy and draft implementation plan:
Policy on Food and Nutrition Security
Draft Food and Nutrition Security Implementation Plan