Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has stressed the need for an investment in climate-smart agriculture such as drought-tolerant seed, efficient irrigation, and soil-water analytics at the Ministerial Meeting of the G20 Food Security Task Force.

Steenhuisen delivered a keynote address on Friday, saying that the meeting sought to endorse the Food Security Task Force outcomes, which will set out the political commitments and shared principles needed to strengthen food security and nutrition at the global level.

He said that the ministers met on Thursday under the Agriculture Working Group to advance the priorities of agricultural cooperation and to adopt the Agriculture Working Group Ministerial Declaration.

“While the two tracks are distinct, they are complementary, ensuring that both the technical and political dimensions of agriculture and food security are fully addressed under South Africa’s Presidency.

“Food security has always been central to South Africa’s development and to the stability of our continent. For us, this is not an abstract debate—it is about the daily reality of affordability, accessibility, and nutrition for our people,” he said.

Steenhuisen said that South Africa ranks fifty-ninth on the Global Food Security Index, not because of a lack of food, but because of weaknesses in sustainability and adaptability.

“Across Africa, hunger remains widespread, with more than 300 million people affected in 2024. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region alone, 48 million are in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3 crisis level of food insecurity.

“Though South Africa is not one of the nine most severely affected countries, the spirit of Ubuntu, ‘I am because you are’ tells us that this suffering diminishes us all,” he said.

He highlighted how, in September, at a meeting in Cairo, they reached consensus on the Ubuntu High-Level Principles that will stand as a legacy of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

Key priorities highlighted in the declaration include:

• Combating food price volatility and persistent food inflation, which disproportionately affect low-income households;
• Investing in climate-smart and resilient agriculture, including drought-tolerant seed, efficient irrigation, and reduced post-harvest losses;
• Promoting inclusive, fair, and transparent food systems that strengthen smallholder and family farmers’ access to financing and markets;
• Supporting social protection measures, such as school feeding and targeted transfers, to ensure dignity and nutrition for vulnerable communities; and
• Advancing sustainable resource use and diversification of diets, including fisheries, pulses, and nutrient-rich foods, while tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

He said the Ubuntu High-Level Principles set out shared actions and approaches to deal with excessive price volatility and persistent food inflation.

“Our policy recommendations stress the need for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems; evidence-based risk planning, including climate-responsive early warning systems; and nutrition-centred approaches that put human well-being at the heart of food systems. Our strategic action areas emphasise social protection, fair and transparent markets, inclusive cross-sector planning, and climate-resilient agriculture,” he said.

“Furthermore, we must promote policy coherence across sectors, recognising that agriculture, trade, climate, health, and finance must work hand-in-hand to achieve real results.

In November, leaders will gather in Johannesburg to adopt a communiqué that elevates the Ubuntu Principles into the global framework.

Western Cape Government MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer, commended Steenhuisen and his G20 counterparts for their leadership and collaborative spirit.

“This declaration is a testament to the power of partnership and shared responsibility. By prioritising interdependence, dignity, and solidarity, the G20 has set a new standard for global cooperation on food security,” the MEC said.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) also welcomed South Africa’s leadership for placing food security at the centre of the G20 agenda.

“As an official Resource Partner, the IEJ has consistently highlighted the interconnections between food systems, economic justice, and human rights. We believe the right to food, recognised in both the South African Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, must be at the core of global governance on food security,” they said in a statement.

The IEJ said the outcomes of the Task Force provide a foundation to move beyond emergency responses towards structural reforms that prioritise equity, sustainability, and justice.

“Implementation must be rooted in the lived realities of those most affected by hunger, smallholder farmers, low-income households, and marginalised communities, to structurally transform food systems. The IEJ stands ready to continue supporting this agenda through research, advocacy, and partnership,” it said.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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