SADCC's evolving Food Security Programme

Abstract

Agriculture is important as a vehicle for addressing food security problems for at least two reasons. First, in SADCC agriculture remains the mainstay of the regional economy, contributing about 34% of the region’s GDP, employing about 79% of the total labour force, and contributing about 26% of the total foreign currency earnings. Stimulating agricultural growth will therefore be the major instrument for increasing national and household incomes, with which food can be imported and bought domestically.

Second, in most SADCC countries, agriculture is the principal way of ensuring food availability. The largest group of people in SADCC who suffer food insecurity are the rural poor, who have insufficient land and other resources to provide sufficient income or food.