Land Use as a Measure of Effective Food Security: Deductions from the South African Food and Nutrition Security Survey

Land is a limited resource that must be used efficiently if a country is to achieve sustainable food security. In support of this, policies should be developed that promote the optimal use of land, water and fertilizers, as these elements are essential for maximizing agricultural production, which in turn improves food security within the constraints imposed by resource scarcity and climate change. The challenges posed by climate change emphasize the need for efficient use of all limited resources, especially land to achieve optimal agricultural performance and food security. In this study, a comprehensive national food and nutrition security survey was conducted to assess the status of household food security in South Africa. The survey collected data from all nine provinces of the country, focusing on indicators such as household access to land and the utilization of available land for food production. The findings highlighted the implications of the dual system of land rights governing households' access to land in South Africa. The unequal distribution of land access results in most households not using their own land for food production. Consequently, the land that households are deemed to "own" is predominantly used for residential purposes, leading to inefficient agricultural land use, which eventually affects household food security. As a result, many households face challenges affording food, with the diets of most families particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds becoming less nutrient-rich. Additionally, the cost of nutrients, especially for rural households, has escalated. To address this, South Africa must educate households on the importance and advantages of efficient use of available land and encourage them to produce their own food. It is also vital to motivate youth to engage in agricultural production and to support them using targeted investments.