SOCIAL DIMENSIONS IN FOOD SECURITY MEASUREMENT -WHAT AND HOW TO

MEASURE

DST & HSRC SEMINAR 12 NOV 2013

Dr Joyce Chitja University of

Kwazulu-Natal

DisclaimersThis presentation is conceptual, theoretical

based observed conceptual factors (an on going livelihood asset building study in on-going).

It has a bias on the rural subsistence and small holder farming context of South Africa.

It draws from the agricultural, the social and economic contexts of rural South Africa.

Focuses on HHFS and those functioning in the “second economy”

INTRODUCTIONThe presentation is an attempt to illuminate

the social dimensions in measurement of FS for the definition to come to be realised.

It is an attempt to explore how can HHFS measures be combined or used in a complementary way to reflect a multidimensional picture of the PEOPLE affected.

In South Africa rural families and their communities face livelihood shocks caused by biophysical, economic, and socio-political forces leading to lower returns on their assets or tip them into persistent poverty.

The reasons are a mix of deep historical & present factors plus the inability of the current economy to deliver enough jobs in these areas.

The complexity of FS measuringA single measure that is reliable, valid

overtime, captures all relevant elements and contexts would be much desirable.

As known no, single measure meets these criteria (Coates and Maxwell 2012).

Most measures do not adequately capture vulnerabilities (their causes & contexts) and consumptions trends over time.

This presentation will attempt to marry FS measurement, Livelihood Assets and elements of Social Protection.

She carries a heavy load! Can “better” FS conceptualisation &measurement improve her

Livelihood?

Food Security: DefinitionFood security definition:Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

- 1996 World Food SummitImplication: Livelihoods Assets should be resilient to deliver livelihoods that ensure Food Security

Why do we measure FS?Assess current and future FSInterveneTo understand HH resilience over timeWhat is the root cause of apparent

poor rural HH resilience in SA? ( suspect livelihood assets play a role)

Does the historical context of RSA affect the poor’s livelihoods assets (Personal, Human, Social Assets), if so how?

Suggested links FS and SLASuggestion : Livelihood Assets

may be one of the key conditions for the FS definition to be somewhat achieved for the poor

Problemitisation: perhaps current measures do not adequately measure the level & quality of Human, Personal, Social Assets?

Conceptual & Theoretical FrameworkSustainable Livelihood Asset &

Livelihood Asset Building Approach.

Social Assets are often very low in poor communities.

Social, Human& Individual Assets are often overlooked in conceptualisation of food security interventions and in some food security measurement.

Livelihood Assets

Social assets - the network of family and community support; (How did RSA history affect this aspect ? Land removals and impact of family disintegration?

Personal assets - their self-confidence, determination and assertiveness (How did RSA history affect this aspect?)

Human assets - their skills and knowledge and ability to learn and work; (Historical vs current skills acquiring system)

Physical assets - their ability to meet the basic needs of food, shelter, transportation and access to other required services;

Financial assets - financial knowledge and capability, access to credit, savings and investments.

HHFS measures & Linkage Livelihood AssetsHousehold Food In security and

Access Scale (HFIAS); (behavioural & occurrence measure does not measure causes)

Coping Strategies Index (CSI) (behavioural and does not measure causes)

Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI); (behavioural and does not measure causes)

NatureEnvironmentSocial capital

Community Mobilisation, NetworkSelf Determination

Self confidenceEducation (skills)

PoliticsHealth

Physical infrastructureInstitutions

MarketsLivelihoodsAgriculture

StorageConflict Food secure

Shocks to households•Food•Income•Health•Entitlement•Asset •Access

Household responses to shocks

Symptoms of food insecurity

Household resources

Constrained to Transform

Alternative Approach: asset building approach with a special focus on the Personal, Human, & Social Protection before the physical & financial assets to foster “self help” ethos

Mr Khanyile’s FS status: access and availability constrained by poor tech skills, lack of exposure to formal farming & markets

A proposed Framework for considering SLA in FS measurementWord doc

The Framework Raises Key Q’s:

• Have we contextualised FS appropriately to measure the causes?

• If the current FS definition is to be realised: a recommendation is the following should encompassed in the conceptualisation and measurement:

• Human Assets (self determination, self belief)• Social Assets (agency, networks, mobilisation)• Individual Assets need to be measured in

order to intervene in a targeted manner

Parting commentsConsidering Social SLA’s in FS

measuring could improve long term resilience.

Considering Social SLA’s in FS measuring fits into the developmental mandate of RSA.

Focus on PEOPLE could build agency and reduce the welfare burden on the state long term.

Ke a leboga, Thank you!