Foundation turns small-scale farmers into food security champions

One in five South African households remains food insecure. Dr Siphe Zantsi, agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), shares how one initiative is empowering rural households to become self-reliant, one harvest at a time.

Food security refers to a condition in which all people have consistent access to safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. According to the South African Constitution, this is a basic human right.

While notable progress has been made in alleviating poverty and food insecurity – especially among the black population residing in former homelands – recent statistics show that one in five households in South Africa remains food insecure.

The majority of these food-insecure households are located in rural areas, particularly in the former homelands, where large tracts of once-cultivated arable land now lie fallow. Over the years, various government interventions have aimed to address this challenge, from the 2002 Integrated Food Security Strategy to chapter six of the 2011 National Development Plan.

The former has since evolved into a broader nutrition programme focused not only on food availability but also on improving the population’s nutritional status. These efforts include boosting local food production, supporting smallholder farmers, and improving market access for both producers and consumers.

However, the scale of the problem demands more than just government intervention. A 2024 study by the Human Sciences Research Council revealed that approximately 12 million households in South Africa experience food insecurity.

With limited public resources, tackling this crisis requires collective action from multiple stakeholders.

One such stakeholder is the HCI Foundation through its Sustainable Food Security Initiative (HCIF SFSI). Originally established during the Covid-19 pandemic as a food parcel relief effort, the HCIF SFSI has since evolved into a long-term strategy.

It now partners with organisations specialising in farming and community development. The initiative began with five partners and has grown to support eight organisations across three provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. To date, it has directly supported 989 farmers and indirectly benefited over 4 600 households (see Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Farms, land size, and number of beneficiaries of the HCIF SFSI

A food indaba

I had the privilege of being involved in the early stages of this initiative, providing research insights on the performance of existing food security programmes and identifying gaps. This year marked the fourth anniversary of the partnership between HCIF and one of its key partners, Siyazisiza Trust.

To celebrate, a vibrant Food Indaba was held in Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal. It was inspiring to witness the progress made; farmers showcased their fresh produce, traditional dance groups performed, and stakeholders engaged in meaningful dialogue. The event culminated in a shared meal featuring traditional dishes made from local and indigenous foods. The highlight for me? The dessert – an unforgettable taste of success.

Figure 2: Monetary value of produce from HCIF SFSI beneficiaries

Local agency needed

The HCIF SFSI’s impact extends beyond household-level food security. Many beneficiaries now supply local retailers such as Boxer and Spar, thereby contributing to local food systems and rural economies. In 2022, the estimated value of produce from beneficiary farmers exceeded R5.5 million, with over half of it sold to local markets (see Fig. 2).

This commercial activity not only improves household food security but also supplements incomes, contributing directly to the National Development Plan’s goal of building vibrant rural communities and sustainable livelihoods.

You might wonder: why sell food when it is still needed at home? The answer lies in the nature of the produce – mostly vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach – which are highly perishable.

Without proper storage facilities, selling the excess harvest is the most practical solution.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of cold storage and exposure to natural hazards, an estimated half a million rand’s worth of produce is lost annually.

The consortium, in collaboration with partners such as the Agricultural Research Council, aims to address these challenges in the coming year to ensure that every seed sown reaches the table.

The HCIF SFSI demonstrates the power of collective action in tackling food insecurity and uplifting rural communities. Imagine the impact if hundreds of similar initiatives were launched across the country. The time has come to collaborate rather than compete.

Local agency is crucial; these initiatives should serve as catalysts, enabling communities to sustain themselves eventually. Once beneficiaries are self-reliant, funders can move on to new communities, paving the way for a ripple effect of empowerment across the nation.

Dr Siphe Zantsi is an agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.