Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byDarwin Bays Modified over 10 years ago
1
1 Interventions to deal with the food crisis: South Africa Simphiwe Ngqangweni Senior Researcher, National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) Secretariat, FANRPAN South Africa Node www.namc.co.za Presented at: FANRPAN 2008 Regional Stakeholders Policy Dialogue Lilongwe, Malawi, 03 September 2008
2
2 Contents Problem statement Approaches to addressing the problem Conclusions
3
Problem statement 3 Wheat: 107.1% Yellow maize: 144.1% Soybean: 114.7% Rice: 218.4% High commodity prices
4
Problem statement 4 Lower availability of grains for food Use in biofuels Increased demand for animal protein Unfavorable climatic conditions
5
Problem statement 5 Competing uses of maize Feed and industrial uses have become important
6
Problem statement Other dynamics of the problem: Increasing purchasing power of the newly-affluent Trade restrictions Potential misuse of market power Increasing energy costs Inadequate investment in agriculture 6
7
Problem statement Effects of the problem: At country level: RSA as net staple food importer, will struggle to meet domestic demand in the long- term. At household level: the poor are the hardest hit due to unaffordability of food. The nutrition of the poor is also at risk Rural areas are most affected due to high poverty rates: 54.2% (Household); 67.7% (individuals) 7
8
Approaches to addressing the problem Both short and medium- to long-term interventions are required In the short-term: Safety-net measures: social welfare grants, food parcels, starter-packs for HH backyard gardens, school feeding schemes These programs are in place – administrative challenges in some areas still exist. Some of these programs are currently being expanded. 8
9
Approaches to addressing the problem In the medium- to long-term (expand production): Enhance profitability and competitiveness of primary commercial agriculture: certain forms of indirect subsidies are being debated in RSA Improve efficiency along agricultural value chains: deal with misusers of market power & price colluders, remove barriers to entry for smaller players, improve agro-logistics Accelerate entrance of new agri-entrepreneurs: implementation of the land and agrarian reform program & dealing with institutional challenges 9
10
Approaches to addressing the problem In the medium- to long-term (continued): Create PPP’s that work (leverage private sector resources and expertise) to bring in new entrants into the mainstream economy – there are local examples to learn from More collaborative platform in addressing trade and tariff issues Take a (SADC) regional approach whereby greater production of staples by RSA neighbors with better comparative advantage is encouraged (in the context of the SADC FT Protocol/FTA) 10
11
Conclusion A two-pronged approach: Respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in the short-term Exploit opportunities to expand food production in the medium- to long-term, take a regional approach Encourage public-private partnerships 11
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.