Food security and nutrition governance post-Covid-19 in Africa

Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad (), Elvin Shava () and Akinseye Olowu ()
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Shikha Vyas-Doorgapersad: University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Elvin Shava: University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Akinseye Olowu: University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Insights into Regional Development, 2023, vol. 5, issue 3, 58-72

Abstract: The article examines the food security and nutrition governance of South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe post-COVID-19 in Africa. Drawn from a qualitative approach that utilises a case study design of multiple cases, this study compared the food security and nutrition governance interventions adopted by the three countries post-COVID-19. Using the Post Development Theory of Food Security, the key findings from the study indicate that, among the three countries, food security was threatened by COVID-19 as the supply chain of all the countries was abruptly disrupted owing to partial and total lockdowns. Reconfiguring the food security landscape to achieve nutrition governance requires the three countries to revisit their agricultural policies in the case of Zimbabwe, where farmers need extensive state support to revitalise grain produce. South Africa also recommends supporting agriculture and subsidies to smallholder farmers, which is fundamental for promoting food security and nutrition governance in many poor rural provinces. Nigeria also needs to improve regarding stakeholder support as agriculture was affected by the lockdown, and farmers' productivity declined. Therefore, the assessment of all three cases led researchers to conclude that state and stakeholder investment is fundamental in agriculture mainly, which is the backbone for promoting food security and food nutrition and safety policies are fundamental for ensuring nutrition governance among citizens. The creation of employment and provision of machinery to smallholder farming can mitigate food insecurity at the household level.

Keywords: food security; nutrition governance; post-COVID-19; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F53 F55 O13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ssi:jouird:v:5:y:2023:i:3:p:58-72

DOI: 10.9770/ird.2023.5.3(4)

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