As we mark National Nutrition Week (9–15 October), the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) reveals alarming statistics: one in three South Africans suffers from hunger, one in five is overweight or obese, and only a small fraction consumes the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. These figures highlight the critical role of the agricultural sector in addressing both food security and nutrition.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, City of Cape Town, emphasized that while financial barriers to nutritious food are a challenge, there are affordable ways to eat healthier. By rethinking how we produce and distribute food, we can tackle these challenges, improve access to nutritious food, and ultimately promote better health for all.
Making Nutritious Food Affordable
Although healthy eating is often perceived as expensive, agriculture can change this by promoting community and urban gardening initiatives that increase access to affordable, fresh produce, reducing reliance on processed, less nutritious foods. Encouraging small-scale farming and home gardens can provide cost-effective food sources and foster healthier eating habits.
The government and private sector should invest in local farming projects, empowering communities to grow their own fruits and vegetables. This approach not only improves food security but also promotes healthier diets at a lower cost.
Shifting Agriculture Towards Healthier Diets
The agricultural sector’s focus on staple crops like maize and wheat, which are energy-dense but nutrient-poor, contributes to the country’s nutritional imbalance. Promoting the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops—such as legumes, leafy greens, and indigenous vegetables—can provide more balanced and nutritious diets.
Sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation and agroecology, can also help farmers grow more nutrient-dense foods. These methods improve soil health and yields while enhancing the nutritional value of crops. Agricultural policies must shift toward supporting diverse, nutrition-focused farming to address both malnutrition and obesity.
The Health-Agriculture Connection
City Health’s initiatives, like the “Live Well Challenge,” promote balanced diets and physical activity, but access to affordable, nutritious foods is essential for their success. Farmers, agribusinesses, and health professionals can collaborate to educate communities on the importance of a diverse diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Policy Support for Nutrition-Focused Agriculture
Government policies should incentivise the production of nutrient-dense crops and improve food distribution systems to make healthy food more affordable. Reducing post-harvest losses, building cold storage facilities, and improving transportation will ensure better access to fresh produce, particularly in low-income areas.
Additionally, policies that subsidize healthy foods or encourage farmers to grow diverse crops can make nutritious food more accessible. Strengthening the connection between agriculture and public health is vital to improving dietary outcomes for all South Africans.
Conclusion: Agriculture as a Solution
The SANHANES findings, underscored during National Nutrition Week, highlight the urgent need for a collaborative approach to nutrition, with agriculture at its core. By promoting diverse, sustainable farming practices and improving food distribution, South Africa can address hunger and obesity while fostering a healthier population. Agriculture, health initiatives, and policy reforms must work together to ensure that every South African has access to affordable, nutritious food.