Ministers meet on food security
Ministers from member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meet in Gaborone next week to discuss the current status of regional food security and its impact on poverty.
Botswana President, Lieutenant General Ian Khama, in his capacity as SADC Chair has convened the meeting to exchange ideas to address the chronic problems of poverty, hunger and malnutrition. It is expected that the meeting will consider practical solutions to address these issues. The workshop on Food Security and Poverty Eradication will be held in Gaborone, Botswana, at the Gaborone International Conference Centre on Monday 16 May 2016.
“The forum on Food Security and Poverty Eradication will be to provide an opportunity to brainstorm, exchange ideas, and agree on practical and strategic actions for both short and long term scenarios in an effort to promote food and nutritional security and address poverty” the SADC secretariat said in a convoluted statement released this week. “Tackling the persistent regional food insecurity and poverty are key in the realisation of regional integration and Sustainable Development Goals targets. These challenges if not addressed in a suitable manner will threaten the socio-economic growth and stability of the region. The region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters including droughts, floods and cyclones that affect food security. Reports and climate data suggest that the SADC region is currently experiencing its worst drought since 1992 and this is expected to further increase [the] food deficit.”
The workshop will be attended by ministers and senior officials representing SADC member states, private organisations, farmer organisations, United Nations’ agencies and other international partners.
