Environmental and socio-economic factors behind food security policy strategies in Botswana

Abstract

This article examines the environmental and socio-economic factors influencing food security policy strategies in Botswana. First, the article provides the conceptual background to the magnitude of the issue of food production and security in southern Africa. Secondly, the physical and human environmental parameters influencing food production strategies are elucidated. Thirdly, issues of agricultural production-oriented ideology, including food self-sufficiency and security, food production and consumption trends, food insecurity and nutritional status of population are outlined. Fourthly, strategies for improving availability of and access to food, including policy intervention for food security, are discussed. Finally, the article outlines the findings of study of food security which point to the adoption of agricultural production technologies, extension expertise and provision of financial assistance to farmers. Successes in expanding food production and consumption, and in reducing production fluctuations to minimise dependence on food aid, require improvement in regional infrastructure to facilitate intraregional trade and flows of food from surplus to deficit areas in Botswana.