SADC calls for urgent action on regional food security amid climate and geopolitical threats
via The Namibian6 min read
The Southern African Development Community SADC has urged its member states to implement urgent and coordinated regional actions to bolster food security, climate resilience, and agricultural systems. This call comes in response to increasing threats from global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and livestock diseases. Angèle N’Tumba, SADC deputy executive secretary for regional integration, highlighted these concerns at a joint meeting of SADC ministers in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. She warned that worsening climate shocks and geopolitical conflicts are endangering millions with hunger and economic hardship. The conflict in the Middle East, for instance, has disrupted the movement of crucial agricultural inputs and petroleum products, leading to rising food and fuel prices. While some SADC member states have reported good harvests, others are experiencing crop losses, infrastructure damage, and livestock deaths due to excessive rainfall and climate-related disasters. Climate experts predict a high likelihood of an El Niño event developing towards the end of this year and into early 2027, which could cause below-average rainfall and severe harvest failures in central and southern parts of the region. Agriculture supports over 70% of the SADC population. South African agriculture minister John Steenhuisen noted that approximately 58 million people in SADC member states face acute food insecurity. He called for harmonized fertilizer regulations to reduce production costs
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