Overview of Food Security Status at a Household Level in the Limpopo Province

Abstract

Food security continues to be a major challenge for countries such as South Africa. Despite being food secure at the national level, food security remains a significant problem for South Africa at the household level. Nationally, households lack access to sufficient food to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, factors such as population growth, poverty, employment status, food expenditure, and climate change pose a risk to food insecurity. The review highlights the importance of addressing household food insecurity in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and provides valuable insights into the potential causes of food insecurity. Research from various studies shows that various strategies such as incorporating wild foods and engagement in agricultural activities have the potential to curb food insecurity at the household level. Furthermore, policymakers are urged to strengthen the pillars of food security, particularly focusing on increasing access to land and income for needy households. Additionally, policy efforts should be directed toward enhancing food utilization.

1. Introduction

Food security in South Africa is still a major challenge, especially at the household level. According to Harvey et al. [1], although South Africa is noted to be technically food secure, on average, at the national level, most households lack access to adequate food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy lifestyle. Mazenda and Ngarava [2] noted that under the country’s constitution, food serves as one of the most important needs a person requires for daily survival and it is recognized as a fundamental human right in South Africa (Section 27 (1) (b) of the Constitution of South Africa, Act 108, 1996).

Hunger and food insecurity are still problems in South Africa. For instance, Tembe et al. [3] found that 31.8% of households in the Limpopo Province experienced hunger and food insecurity. Moreover, families who are food insecure lack the resources to buy food and are unable to prepare it themselves [3, 4]. These then exacerbate the food insecurity situation of various households. Some important factors of food insecurity and hunger include population increase, poverty, conflict, economic downturn, and ecosystem disruption [5, 6]. Additionally, other factors are households with large population densities, poor incomes, or unemployed members [3]. These are more susceptible to economic shocks because of these features. The South African government has put in place programs to curb food insecurity such as social grants and child support grants; however, these grants are not enough to sustain the whole family as the number of dependents grows [2]. Furthermore, social grants alone cannot completely eliminate the issue of food insecurity since the funds provided are insufficient to cover all household expenses. However, the utilization of wild foods has the potential to alleviate this problem by diversifying dietary options and expanding access to food, particularly amidst rising food prices [4]. To address worsening household food insecurity, there is a need to explore methods that can improve household income situations and encourage the adoption of wild foods, income diversification activities, and one-home-one garden program thus enhancing dietary variety and expanding food availability.

Although South Africa is acknowledged to be food secure at the national level, many households within the nation are classified as food insecure [7]. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) report [8] states that unfavorable weather-related shocks, particularly the extreme flood that happened in the previous seasons along with other rapid onset livelihood disturbances, are to blame for the current food and nutrition insecurity that is manifesting in South Africa. According to Statistics South Africa [9], 20% of South African households are thought to have little or extremely insufficient access to food in this regard. Additionally, the 2005 household survey found that only 20% of South African homes were food secure, 33% of persons were at risk of becoming hungry, and 52% of households had access to enough food [10, 11] Recently, Sithole et al. [6] investigated the contribution of fruits and vegetables to the household food security situation of rural households of Limpopo Province and found that 45.5% of the households were food secure, 24.4% were severely food insecure, and 17.4% were moderately food insecure with only 12.6% of the rural households being mildly food insecure. This demonstrates how vulnerable the majority of South African households and people are to shocks related to food insecurity.

According to Chopra et al. [10], household socioeconomic status, which includes income, employment status, and food expenditure, is strongly correlated with food insecurity. As a result, a household’s overall income becomes crucial to achieving food security [12, 13]; thus, it is challenging for the majority of South African households to buy enough food to feed their entire household due to the high poverty rate [13].

Statistics South Africa [14] stated that poverty and unemployment are two major causes of food insecurity and that it is still difficult to comprehend and unravel these causes. This is further impacted by housing challenges, poor educational standards, and unresolved social issues that quickly draw homes and individuals who are food insecure. Approximately 50% of South Africa’s population is thought to be food insecure or at risk of becoming food insecure [15]. This suggests that people are at risk of going without food, skipping meals, or going days without eating to survive [15]. According to Statistics South Africa [16], vulnerable food-insecure households are those living in poverty and unable to produce their food as well as afford to buy food. Such homes are hindered by their inability to find employment or create revenue, resulting in poverty-stricken households that are often characterized by a small number of wage earners and a large number of dependents and are more susceptible to economic shocks [16].

The relationship between household’s vulnerability to hunger and population growth in South Africa is shown in Figure 1. As evident from the graph, the households’ vulnerability to hunger declined from 2002 to 2007 dropping from 24.2 to 10.8%. This decline suggests improvement in the economic conditions of the country allowing most households to improve their food security status. Although there was a slight fluctuation in the population growth from 2008 to 2014, there is, however, an upward trend in both population growth and households’ vulnerability to hunger indicating a potential rise in food insecurity. This could be attributed to the rise in inflation in the year 2015–2016 [18]. There has been a slight increase in household vulnerability to hunger from 2020 to 2022 and the population growth declined in these years. This could be as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it posed to people. Thus, households lost employment and they could not afford basic household food items.

Figure 1.

Household vulnerable to hunger in South Africa from 2002 to 2022 vs. population growth. Source: Stats SA GHS [17] data and own compilation.

2. Current food security status of households in Limpopo Province

Although South Africa is food secure at the national level, studies still show that the country lacks food security at the household level [1, 7]. Therefore, like a number of households in other provinces of the country, a multitude of households in Limpopo Province experience food insecurity [19, 20]. However, the majority the households in the province enjoy high levels of food security due to the presence of the four pillars of food security, namely (1) the availability of nutritious food (through food production, mainly in the rural areas in Limpopo Province, by both commercial and subsistence farmers), (2) the households’ access to such food (mainly through urban consumers’ proximity and commutes to urban food markets and income and rural consumers’ subsistence agricultural production on their own farming land), (3) the households’ utilization of such food in the form of food preparation (where applicable) and consumption, and (4) the stability of those food supplies [21]. Climate conditions play a major role in determining food security status [22]. During times of adequate rainfall, the majority of households enjoy food security, while in dry or drought seasons, general household food insecurity increases [23]. While commercial farmers possess the resources for irrigation during dry spells, poorer subsistence farmers often lack adequate water supplies for the cultivation of crops and the rearing of their livestock [24]. This situation results in subsistence farmers relying more on food purchases from markets [25]. However, poor subsistence farmers lack the funds to access food market supplies, resulting in their food insecurity [26]. In addition, the high prices of food also make it difficult for households to afford basic food items [27]. Thus, the overall level of food security of Limpopo Province households, as elsewhere nationwide, drops markedly during such periods.

2.1 Findings on food security status at the household level in Limpopo Province

Over the past decade, Limpopo Province has witnessed different trends in household food security, reaching its pinnacle in 2021 with an impressive 92.6% of households reporting to be food secured, marking it as the leading province in South Africa in this regard due to the vast agricultural activities [28]. Sithole et al. [6] contributed to further insights, conducting a comprehensive survey involving 2043 respondents within the province. Their findings revealed that a substantial majority, comprising 45.8% of the households, reported being food insecure. Similarly, Tembe et al. [3] found that 31.7% of households in the Limpopo Province experienced hunger. Mbhatsani et al. [29] on one hand found that 32.5% of households in the Limpopo Province are food secure, while 36.3% were at risk of food insecurity. This statistic not only underscores the province’s remarkable progress in ensuring access to adequate and nutritious food but also highlights ongoing efforts toward enhancing food security initiatives. For instance, Nesengani et al. [30] conducted a study on the verification of the existence of food security projects in Limpopo Province and concluded that there are 347 food security projects of which 338 are functional. Such data provide invaluable insight for policymakers, guiding strategic interventions aimed at sustaining and augmenting food security levels to benefit the populace.

In 2020, about 18% of South African households were engaged in agricultural production; however, Limpopo Province had the highest number of households engaged in agriculture amounting to 38% (Statistics South Africa, 2019). Furthermore, Limpopo is noted to have the highest number of households with sufficient access to food [16]. This has been attributed to the high agricultural production by both commercial and subsistence farmers [31]; the conducive climatic conditions, particularly high levels of rainfall [22]; and the high cultivation and consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables in the province [32] among other factors. Collectively, the households of Limpopo Province have made significant investments in their food security, from both financial and labor perspectives [33], which has boosted the province’s food security status at the provincial and household levels alike.

Table 1 presents a comparative overview of the food security status across different districts in the Limpopo Province, primarily focusing on the majority of households within each district. In Capricorn District, households are reported to vary in food security status, with a majority being food secure (53%) but a portion experiencing moderate-to-severe food insecurity, as evidenced by Makgobokwane [20, 34, 35], and the Capricorn District Municipality Integrated Development Plan [3]. Conversely, Mopani District predominantly faces severe food insecurity, supported by studies from De Cock et al. [35], Baiyegunhi et al. [37], and Nengovhela [20]. Sekhukhune District is largely food secure according to De Cock et al. [36] and Mvelase [39]. Vhembe District displays a mixed scenario, with a majority of households being food secure (51%) but some experiencing moderate food insecurity, as noted by Mokhaukhau et al. [40], Mudzielwana [41], and Mafunzwaini [42]. Lastly, Waterberg District primarily faces food insecurity, as highlighted by De Cock et al. [36]. Overall, the trend suggests a varied landscape of food security across districts, with some predominantly food secure, and others facing severe challenges, while others exhibit a mixed scenario of security and insecurity.

District	The food security status of the majority of households	Percentages of food security status of households	Authors
Capricorn	Food secure; Moderate food insecure; Severely food insecure	53%; 22.6%, 31%; 61%	[34]; [20, 35]; [36]
Mopani	Severely food insecure; Food insecure	65%, 51.7%, 45%; 80%	[20, 35, 37]; [38]
Sekhukhune	Food secure; Mildly food insecure	47.9%, 54.9%; 39%	[35, 39]; [40]
Vhembe	Food secure; Moderate food insecure	51%; 33%	[41]; [42]
Waterberg	Food insecure	67%	[35]

Table 1.

The household food security status in the districts of Limpopo Province.

Source: Own compilation [2024].

3. Household food consumption patterns and dietary diversity in Limpopo Province

According to Obekpa [43], dietary diversity is a qualitative assessment of food consumption that indicates a household’s access to various types of foods, and it also serves as an indicator of the nutrient adequacy of an individual’s diet, Whereas food consumption pattern refers to the amounts, proportions, variety, or combination of different foods and beverages in diets, as well as the frequency with which they habitually consume [44]. The World Health Organization [WHO] [45] noted the importance of food consumption indicating that a nutritious diet is crucial for maintaining good health and well-being. A nutritious diet also helps guard against numerous chronic noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Furthermore, incorporating a variety of foods and reducing intake of salt, sugars, and saturated and industrially produced trans-fats are key components of a healthy diet.

De Cock et al. [35] noted that household heads in Limpopo Province with a Diploma or a degree had the highest Household Dietary Diversity Score [HDDS]. The reason could be that higher levels of education are often linked to better knowledge about nutrition and health, thereby influencing more diverse dietary choices. In addition, maize products were consumed most frequently, averaging 6.7 days out of 7, primarily because they are the staple food of the province. In contrast, pork (due to religious restrictions) and venison (because of its high cost) were the least consumed [35]. This suggests that dietary diversity depends on the household’s preference.

The results of the study conducted by Nengovhela et al. [46] employed household dietary diversity score [HDDS] as a tool to assess the dietary diversity and consumption patterns of rural households in Mopani District Municipality [MDM] in Limpopo Province. The results of the study revealed that 80.26% of respondents consumed all the 12 food groups. This indicates that rural household heads in MDM have a diverse diet, incorporating various nutritious foods. The data also show the average consumption of the food groups, with most groups being consumed on a daily (46.60%) or weekly (33.66%) basis. Additionally, the study found that the food group containing bread, rice, wheat, and maize had the highest consumption rate, attributed to maize being a staple food in Limpopo Province. The results indicated that 49% of rural households had a high HDD score, 36% had a medium HDD score, and 15% had a low HDD score, suggesting that the majority of rural households maintain a diverse diet.

Children tend to be vulnerable to food insecurity shocks. As evident from Table 2, about 3.8% of children were vulnerable to hunger in South Africa and 4.1% represents children in the Limpopo Province in the year 2022. Moreover, 3.2% of rural households faced hunger. Nedzingahe et al. [48] also noted that half of the households in the Limpopo Province had a low Dietary Diversity Score [DDS]. The reason for this was that most households were single, which led to households depending on one income.

Item (year 2022)	Number of households with people who experience hunger	%
South Africa	2,078,496	11,6
Limpopo Province	65,564	3,2
Item	Number of children with people that experience hunger	%
South Africa	683,221	3,8
Limpopo Province	28,219	4,1

Table 2.

Households and children experiencing hunger.

Source: Stats SA GHS [47] data and own compilation.

Mkhize et al. [49] elaborate that childhood nutritional status, chronic diseases, and physical and cognitive development are affected by food insecurity. For instance, Mbhatsani et al. [29] noted that households in Limpopo Province exhibited low dietary variety, with dietary diversity identified as a key factor in determining health risks. An inverse relationship was found between dietary diversity and household food security, indicating that as dietary variety decreases, food insecurity increases. These changes also affect the vulnerability of children to hunger. Mbhatsani et al. [29] also uncovered household factors contributing to obesity and hypertension, which are significant public health challenges in Limpopo Province.

According to Vilar-Compte et al. [50], limited financial resources restrict access to a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables, and protein sources. The study by Nedzingahe et al. [48] further indicated that cereals were the most commonly consumed starches at 92.8%, followed by white tubers and roots at 31.1%. Consumption of vitamin A-rich vegetables was lower at 37.6% compared to dark green leafy vegetables at 45.3%. Nearly half of the households consumed other fruits at 45.3%, while a little over a third consumed vitamin A-rich fruits at 30.8%. Organ meats, which are rich in iron, were consumed by 30.4% of households, and red palm oil was the least consumed at 21.3%. Improving dietary diversity could potentially mitigate these health issues by promoting better nutrition and overall well-being. Furthermore, encouraging a more varied diet might also enhance food security and reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases in both households and children.

4. Conclusions and recommendations

Despite South Africa maintaining its food security at the national level, household food security remains low overall. Based on the overview of household-level food security status in the Limpopo Province, a number of recommendations can be made to policymakers and researchers. Though the overview has focused on Limpopo Province, the recommendations from it also apply to households elsewhere in South Africa. Arguably, the recommendations may be more applicable to households in the country’s other provinces than to Limpopo households given that Limpopo has achieved nearly total household-level food security that is significantly higher than that of the other provinces. The recommendations appear below.

4.1 Recommendations for policymakers

Policymakers should focus more on the national agricultural policy ensuring food security at the household level. Existing national policy gives only a limited amount of consideration to the challenges facing households regarding their food security. This is highlighted by the fact that at the household level, food insecurity has persisted as the status quo in the country, while national-level food security has been evident throughout the same period. To address the problem concerning household-level food insecurity, there is a need to strengthen the food security pillars. While food availability has generally been ensured in the past century, the pillars of food access, food utilization, and food stability deserve more policy attention at the household level. If new national policy can enhance households’ access to food by providing more land and income to needy households, then the country will be able to achieve full household-level food security. Policymakers’ efforts toward enhancing food utilization will not only address food security imperatives, but also those regarding nutrition.

Policymakers are further advised to focus on increasing national agricultural output to address food supply shortages caused by population growth. With the national population continuing to grow well beyond 50 million mark, there is a need to upscale, through policy formulation and implementation, especially commercial agricultural production, which will likely continue to be the main source of food for the urban population, which represents the ever-growing majority of people in South Africa. However, with a significant number of households relying on smallholder subsistence farming for food security, some wholly, there should be increased focus on increasing small-scale and subsistence agricultural production as well. This would lessen the pressure on commercial farmers to feed the nation.

Addressing the impacts of climate change on food security should be the responsibility of multiple groups of professionals, including policymakers. Thus, policies aimed at meeting this challenge should not only align with the global climate change policy (such as that formulated because of COP 26); it should also mitigate the threat of the climate to food security in the Limpopo Province and all of South Africa. This is particularly regarding the availability, access, and stability pillars of food security. With developing countries qualifying as beneficiaries of a global food production insurance fund, as agreed at the last COP summit, policymakers should determine how best to distribute South Africa’s share of the fund to ensure and restore household- and national-level food security.

4.2 Recommendations for researchers

There is a need for ongoing research regarding food security at the household level within the Limpopo Province, South Africa, and beyond to investigate the major determinants of such food security in both urban and rural areas. The food availability, food access, food utilization, and food supply stability pillars of food security can be used as a basis for rural-urban comparative studies of that nature. Research may also investigate the extent to which modern rural subsistence farming households rely on food market purchases, rather than food production, to ensure their food security. Such a study could focus on the financial costs of subsistence food production versus those of commercial food purchases. Finally, further studies could also investigate the reasons why many South African households have continued to experience food insecurity despite the country enjoying the status of being food secure at the national level. Such studies should identify the challenges facing subsistence and small-scale agricultural production. Finally, the contributions of indigenous foods to household food security in rural households and in the South African provinces where these foods are most popular (such as Mopane worms and leafy vegetables) warrant further empirical inquiry.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.