Scores of Batswana do not have enough food to eat each day and over 60% cannot afford nutritious food. This is likely to be exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic which is showing no signs of ending. The United Nations (UN) has already set an ambitious 2030 goal of ending world hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition while ensuring farming practices are sustainable. Undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic which started in 2019 and now the war in Ukraine have disrupted food systems and Botswana has not been spared.
The issue of food systems is gaining momentum on the global stage as countries race against time to accelerate efforts to tackle malnutrition. The United Nations Food Systems Summit which was held in New York in September 2021 and the Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021 which was held in Japan in December 2021 are all evidence that the issue of food systems is gaining momentum on the global stage.
A Dietician who spoke to The Telegraph indicated that in order to achieve sustained recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Botswana, along with other countries across the globe, should commit to targeted action on health and food systems.
“I believe that all the food summits held in 2021 and those which will take place this year will motivate policymakers in Botswana to come up with policies and actions that could bring radical improvements in the food systems,” says Lebogang Kopela. She also says in order to successfully transform food systems, Botswana must address five important domains which are “reinventing agriculture, transforming food environments for healthy diets, addressing climate change, productively engaging the private sector, and lastly influencing public policy”.
While Covid-19 pandemic has undeniably left dozens of households in Botswana unable to meet basic nutritional needs, the pandemic has also provided a window into opportunities for much-needed food systems reform in the country. While the main priority of the government is to get the economy back up and running again, food must not be left out as it is a critical pandemic response option which has a direct bearing on the economy and public health.
A commentator who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity noted that Botswana needs food systems reform before the next pandemic.
“Botswana’s food systems do not guarantee sustainability. It is imperative to note that the ideal food systems are usually made up of five things which are environmentally sustainable, efficient, contributes to good health; inclusive of the most at-risk groups and is resilient to regular shocks,” he says adding that it is only by science that the entire food system including production, consumption and the value chain can be fixed.
He also posits that increasing production of climate resilient varieties of vegetables and cereals using sustainable agricultural methods could go a long way in addressing hunger in Botswana.
Among other things, he says the transformation of Botswana’s food systems is an essential requirement for a food secure future. “Traditional food systems are wasteful, inefficient, and also emit large amounts of greenhouse gases which drive climate change,” he says.
At the Food summit held last year, another issue which was raised was the need for governments and the private sector to work together to come up with new food systems underpinned by technology and innovation. At the Food Systems Summit in 2021, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres encouraged countries to set a target to invest 1% of their food system-related GDP in innovation. This, according to a McKinsey research, shows that innovation in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture and food production could generate billions over the next two decades.
“Food systems are shaping progress in three fundamental areas: People — “Nourishing Everyone for Health and Well‑being”. Planet — “Producing in Harmony with Nature”. Prosperity — “Inclusive, transformative and equitable recovery for the 2030 Agenda”. This triple thrust enables the world to engage to deliver on the 2030 Agenda,” said Antonio Guterres.
Before the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Botswana, the country’s food systems were facing serious challenges in achieving equitable access to healthy, nutritious food for all. Unfortunately, the pandemic has reversed the little gains that the country has made over the years and has put Botswana further behind in reaching the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose end point is 2030.
With various research showing that women are 10% more likely than men to suffer from food insecurity, it remains to be seen how quick Botswana will align her strategies and set the path to leverage food systems to support the people worst affected to successfully adapt.
