Policy: Food and Nutrition Security for the Republic of South Africa

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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: