South Africa Champions Food Sovereignty and Resilience at UNFSS+4 Summit

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has firmly reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture, and local empowerment during his address at the United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking at the prestigious gathering hosted at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headquarters, the Minister emphasized the role of resilient food systems as a cornerstone of national development, poverty alleviation, and climate response.

The three-day summit brought together a diverse coalition of leaders including Heads of State, Ministers, scientists, indigenous representatives, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and producers from across the globe to evaluate the global transformation of food systems since the original UN Food Systems Summit in 2021.

Strategic Vision for Local Food Sovereignty

Minister Steenhuisen delivered a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s forward-thinking policies aimed at empowering local communities to define, produce, and secure their own food systems.

“Food sovereignty is not just about feeding our people—it’s about enabling communities to determine their food policies, protect their agrobiodiversity, and participate in an inclusive agricultural economy,” Steenhuisen said.

Central to this vision is the promotion of indigenous crops and livestock, known for their nutritional value, cultural importance, and climate resilience. The government is currently mapping these species nationwide and funding agricultural research to identify and upscale underutilized plants, enhancing their role in both nutrition security and agro-processing value chains.

Seed Banks and Biosecurity as Building Blocks

To support agricultural self-sufficiency, the Minister announced the creation of community-based seed banks that will guarantee smallholders and households reliable access to quality seed stock, preserving native biodiversity while improving harvest reliability.

He emphasized the importance of biosecurity and livestock resilience, noting that the government is investing in modern diagnostic tools, robust traceability systems, and vaccine research to protect livestock populations and strengthen early outbreak response.

“Breeding for resilience is not a slogan—it’s an actionable policy. Our focus on indigenous livestock genetics is already producing stronger, disease-resistant breeds,” Steenhuisen explained.

Smallholder Support and Local Production Programmes

The Minister reaffirmed the government's support for small-scale farmers through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), which provides financial aid, infrastructure support, extension services, and training to boost both productivity and environmental sustainability.

Programmes like Ilima/Letsema—a community-driven initiative promoting One Household, One Garden—are being expanded to help mitigate the impact of rising global food inflation, especially on low-income and rural households.

“We cannot rely solely on commercial farming to combat hunger. Food security begins at the household level,” the Minister said.

Regenerative and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Focus

As the world grapples with climate change, Steenhuisen reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to regenerative agriculture, agroecology, and conservation farming. These systems aim to restore degraded land, sequester carbon, improve water use, and enhance biodiversity—all while keeping farms productive and profitable.

South Africa’s Good Agricultural Practices (SA GAP) programme was spotlighted for helping smallholders adopt market-aligned, environmentally responsible farming techniques that meet both domestic and export standards.

“SA GAP is not only about compliance—it’s about competitiveness. We want our smallholders to thrive locally and internationally,” he said.

Global Collaboration: A Continent-Wide Commitment

Minister Steenhuisen also stressed South Africa’s commitment to multilateral engagement, highlighting its participation in the G20 Food Security Task Force, and strategic cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to counter global food inflation and strengthen resilience across Africa.

“We are working closely with partners to develop comprehensive policy baskets that support meaningful interventions—especially for the most vulnerable populations,” he noted.

These policies align with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and support Africa’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.

A Unified African Voice for Food Justice

The Minister’s message resonated deeply with the summit’s central theme—accelerating food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). South Africa’s contributions reinforced the urgency for regional cooperation, equitable resource sharing, and investment in rural communities.

As global discussions evolve beyond food security to the right to food and dignity, South Africa is positioning itself as a continental leader that integrates indigenous knowledge, community-based solutions, and science-based strategies.

“True food security is rooted in empowerment, ownership, and resilience. South Africa is proud to be part of this global journey,” Steenhuisen concluded.