Partner: KwaZulu-Natal provincial Department of Agriculture
Duration: 2007-2012
Budget: 7.500.000
With this programme, the Government of Flanders wants to help improve the food security situation in the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
Food security is one of the top priorities of the South African government. However, at the same time it is one of the problems KwaZulu-Natal province is faced with as a result of the unequal access to food among households. One in three families do not have any access to food. Furthermore, there is a real lack of variable food supply and the food that is available is often insufficiently nutritious.
Still, KwaZulu-Natal can also boast a number of assets, such as fertile soil, a favourable climate and sufficient water. In principle, the revenues from agriculture should suffice to feed everyone, and it should even be possible to export any surplus that is produced.
The main objective is to improve the food security situation of rural families in eight municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. The programme is intended to give family members better access to a stable and varied food supply and to ensure that they use and consume food in a proper manner. In addition, the programme aims to help increase the household income and living standard of the target group.
For this reason, it was decided in favour of an integrated approach, with several departments working together, and more specifically the departments of agriculture, education and health. Attention is also paid to the different aspects of food security, such as availability of food, access to food and consumption of food.
Food gardens were laid out in the 8 municipalities concerned. Following a mid-term evaluation, the programme was adjusted and subdivided into 9 different strategic projects:
- food storage, preparation and diversification at household level
- crop protection and disease and pest control
- composting and promotion of organic crops
- contribution to food security through (small) livestock farming
- promotion and production of traditional crops
- agricultural processing and marketing
- water management
- effective use of alternative energy
This programme is carried out by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Department of Agriculture. The practical implementation of the projects will be outsourced by the Department to local NGOs which will also be responsible for providing guidance and training to the families.