How South African government helps to ensure food security during lockdown what are the challenges and problems regarding the interventions taken?
Answers
In addition to my fear for health because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am also concerned about food scarcity and prices skyrocketing. The price of smoked herring which is a basic source of protein we buy from traders from Ghana has doubled overnight as the government is closing down marketplaces as well as borders”. Those are a few words from my mom in Togo when I spoke to her last, to check on her amid the COVID-19 spread.
While I applaud governments in Togo and elsewhere on the continent for taking these difficult and devastating — but necessary — measures to slow down the COVID-19 spread, they should carefully think through the implications of social distancing for every segment of their population. Moreover, they should analyze how these measures will impact local food systems and the women and men who produce, process and sell food for their living. In places like Togo and many other African countries, cross border trade for food and other goods are important for daily life. In addition, with over 70 percent of the workforce in the informal sector without any social protection and health insurance, if the lockdown and social distancing are prolonged, prolongation of social distancing could have a devastating impact on income and livelihoods as well as food and nutrition security for workers up and down the food chain. Consumers in cities will not be spared either if food availability is thrown into jeopardy or if prices increase.
COVID-19 is already pushing economies around the world into turmoil. The think tank IFPRI estimates that with the global economy contraction, over 140 million people could be pushed into poverty. This will have direct, negative consequences for hunger and food insecurity. In rich countries such as here in the U.S., we see Congress and the Government include measures to stimulate the economy, protect people living in or near the poverty line and protect workers forced to stay home with generous unemployment benefits and other protections. Sadly, in Africa, this won’t be the case as many governments are paralyzed with heavy debt. Many informal workers will have to depend on the solidarity and generosity of their family in-country and in the diaspora.
Consider fiscal and monetary incentives: Governments should also consider setting up incentives such as lifting VAT, duties and other taxes imposed on food business to enable the supply chain to continue to function properly without any huge interruption. Governments should also consider extending concessional loans or loan guarantee facilities to food actors who may need it to ensure the food supply chain is running smoothly. Some countries in Africa are already considering such measures. To the extent practicable, restaurants and food shops should be allowed to continue to operate where they can maintain physical distancing requirements and explore alternative delivery systems.
The vast majority of Africans continue to buy their food in open markets. Shutting down those marketplaces should be the last resort. Instead, governments should deploy advice for food safety and ensure social distancing in open markets. A few countries are already coming up with innovative ways of doing this, and governments and municipalities in Africa should learn and apply best practices while keeping their citizens safe and healthy.
Protect farmers & food workers: Farmers and people who provide labor to plant, harvest, transform and distribute our food are the backbone of our food systems - and should be supported and protected during the pandemic. Women often play a key role in this which is often not well recognized or receive equally compensated. This segment of the population should be considered a part of the essential function and should be treated well, supported and protected against the pandemic and any exploitation to avoid disrupting the food system and protect their rights. Governments should introduce special measures to ensure this and for continued service and education. Extension services and access to information, for instance, can now be delivered digitally to farmers without the need for physical human contact. Delivery of subsidized input and other support provided by the government to farmers should not be interrupted, but rather, should be done in the safest manner. Other support functions and business along the food chain should also be considered as essential functions and be supported accordingly.
.