Enhancing food security through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies and legislation : South African context

Abstract

Climate-related hazards have aggravated disaster risks and food insecurity on the African continent. South Africa is no exception as climate change is affecting food security and people’s livelihoods. As such, there is wide acceptance that Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Food Security policies must operate mutually to counter disaster risks, adapt to a changing climate and enhance the resilience of both food security and people’s livelihoods. South Africa’s CCA, DRR and food security policies have been criticised for operating in isolation. Therefore, the central incentive and purpose of this study were to assess the interaction and gaps between CCA, DRR and food security policies/legislation. This helped understand and intensively evaluate the successful implementation of DRR/CCA policies and identify key areas of concern, which is critical for developing positive outcomes for food security in South Africa. Moreover, crucial intervention points for policy and legislative (in)capacity could be identified. The study is qualitative in nature. The data was collected through a literature review and semi-structured interviews with senior officials in different departments (i.e., the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) previously known as the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA); the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) previously known as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF); National, Provincial and Local Disaster Management Centres; Scholars and organisations that have considerable knowledge regarding the study’s research objectives, such as AgriSA and farmers’ unions). The literature study and interviews with relevant technocrats revealed that climate change and food security policies and legislation are centred on production, while other food system activities are largely neglected and/or poorly reflected. There is an implementation challenge of CCA, DRR and food security efforts on ground level due to maladministration and interdepartmental incoherence. Moreover, no consistent and clear communication channels exist between the DEFF, NDMC and DALRRD on matters pertaining to natural hazards and food security. The size of government, continuous change in ministry, difference in opinion and priority have affected policy integration. The overall consensus is that there is a weak connection between CCA, DRR and food security policies in South Africa. The study argues that there needs to be a consistent communication channel and collaboration between the DEFF, DALRRD and NDMC. A food system resilience framework needs to be developed, which involves key stakeholders and marginalised groups.