Synopsis
Transformation of food systems in line with agroecological principles remains marginal in South Africa. In spite of numerous policies, plans and programmes, limited change highlights the weak budgets, segmented interventions and lack of coordination. These problems reflect the power dynamics in the prevailing food system, which is dominated by large-scale conventional agriculture and food corporations.
At the national level, several social movements support agroecology, organic production and food sovereignty. These, however, lack the connection with consumers required to establish a coalition for change that could influence the political scene and lead to policy changes. Consumers are understandably focused on their current living conditions. As a result, no significant agroecological programmes are taking root nationwide.
This report addresses the following questions: i) What is the structure of the BVM Food System in terms of key value chains and activities, and what are the drivers that shape the system? How does it interact with the broader institutional environment? ii) To what extent is the governance of ...
DOI: ISBN 978-2-87614-846-8
Directors’ Report The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS) presents the Directors’ Report for the 2023 academic year. Established in 2014, the CoE-FS has grown in stature and prominence on the African continent and beyond. In 2022, the most recent report of the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go-To Think Tank ...
Background to the study Low- and medium-income countries face several interlinked sustainability challenges. In particular, food systems must provide food and nutrition security, decent jobs and incomes, and adapt to climate change in a context where government budgets are constrained. Agroecological approaches are increasingly recognised as relevant solutions for ensuring ...