The Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) component is one of the two new thematic focus areas introduced under STOSAR II. This component focuses on strengthening the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) capacity to implement and monitor the Regional Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (FNSS).
At its core, the component aims to improve the availability, access, and utilization of diverse, safe, and nutritious foods across the SADC region. By supporting evidence-based decision-making, promoting nutrient-dense indigenous crops, strengthening policy frameworks, and fostering knowledge sharing, the component will directly contribute to better diets, healthier lives, and more resilient food systems.
Food and nutrition insecurity remains a pressing challenge in Southern Africa. Over 20 percent of the population in several Member States are currently facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). Malnutrition persists in multiple forms with stunting affecting more than 21 million children (FNSWG, 2024), while micronutrient deficiencies among women and children remain high. At the same time, rising rates of overweight and obesity are emerging across the region.
These challenges are compounded by recurrent climate shocks, transboundary pests and diseases, structural inequalities, and health burdens such as HIV and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Together, they undermine progress towards achieving sustainable food and nutrition security.
The FNS component addresses several persistent challenges that include:
- Data Gaps: Limited and fragmented food and agriculture data restricts effective assessment and monitoring of food and nutrition security.
- Knowledge Sharing Limitations: Weak exchange of innovations and best practices among Member States prevents scaling up successful interventions.
- Dietary Shifts: Traditional nutrient-rich foods are increasingly replaced by highly processed alternatives, leading to poor diet quality.
- Policy Shortcomings: Agricultural and food system policies often lack nutrition sensitivity and fail to fully address the links between production, diets and health. Some still require prioritization of crops and livestock production systems which promote diversified diets and gender equity, crucial for better nutrition.
STOSAR II Key Activities (2024–2028)
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The project will strengthen national and regional capacity to generate reliable production estimates and comprehensive Food Balance Sheets. Harmonized monitoring and evaluation systems, aligned to the FNSS and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), will enable more accurate tracking of progress and targeted responses.
- Promoting Nutrient-Dense Foods: A regional catalogue of indigenous and underutilized nutritious crops will be developed to encourage healthier diets and preserve traditional knowledge. Lesson learnt and best practices in bio- fortification and other nutrition-sensitive approaches will be shared to help Member States address micronutrient deficiencies.
- Policy and Strategic Support: The project will back the review and alignment of agricultural and food policies including the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP), Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP), and National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) to strengthen their nutrition focus. Support will also be provided to scale up food fortification and implement multi-sectoral action frameworks that prioritize maternal and child nutrition.
- Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: The establishment of a SADC Regional Centre of Excellence and Communities of Practice will provide sustainable platforms for peer learning, exchange of innovations and practical experiences, sharing the findings of new research and scaling of best practices. These mechanisms will build regional solidarity and ensure that effective solutions are widely shared and adapted.
The Food and Nutrition Security component complements and reinforces the results of all other STOSAR II components in achieving a climate-relevant, productive, inclusive, and sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems in Southern Africa. By placing nutrition outcomes at the heart of policies, production systems and knowledge exchange, it lays the groundwork for healthier populations and more resilient communities in the region.