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GAME INDUSTRY TRENDS ANALYSIS 2024
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Poor Policies In The Spotlight On World Food Day
Poor policies in the spotlight on World Food Day
By Lindi Botha | 14 October 2024 | 10:05 pm
Despite the fact that South Africa is an agricultural powerhouse, over 20% of its population is food insecure, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). With World Food Day commemorated on 16 October, agricultural organisations are turning their attention to policies that hinder food security.
The theme for this year’s Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations World Food Day is ‘Right to foods for a better life and a better future’. The theme underscores the importance of nutrient-dense, available, fresh and affordable food.
Results from Stats SA’s General Household Survey from 2021 show that 15% and 6% of South Africans have inadequate and severely inadequate access to food, respectively.
Noting the impact of policies on food production, Potatoes SA CEO Willie Jacobs demonstrated the effect of poor policies on this staple. “Potatoes are more nutrient-dense than any other staple food in South Africa. Any policies that hinder the sustainable growth of this industry should therefore be challenged,” he told Farmer’s Weekly.
He referred to a recent proposal by the Department of Water and Sanitation to cut water allocation to farmers in the Sandveld region of the Western Cape by 30%. This would result in 30% of the hectares under potatoes in the area being taken out of production.
“Natural resource allocation and management is a key factor that will either promote or hinder food security going forward. In a world where water is becoming scarce, and rainfall patterns are erratic and often destructive, we require a concerted effort to ensure that our resources are used in a way that solves hunger.
“Potatoes have the smallest water footprint of all staples in South Africa, providing a favourable return for every ,” Jacobs said.
South Africa currently produces 2,5 million tons of potatoes annually, of which 17% is produced in the Sandveld region. Jacobs explained that the Sandveld output had a disproportionately huge impact on potato availability and prices in South Africa, since it was the only region that could produce potatoes throughout the year.
It was also responsible for the majority of potatoes consumed in the Western Cape, since the next closest potato production region was 700km away, he added.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Monique Vlok, chairperson of the Sandveld Potato Growers’ Association, said: “Any reduction in production will mean South Africans across the country will pay more for potatoes as a result of lower supply. We need sustainable solutions for water use to ensure food security across the country.”
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