Orphan crops can contribute to building resilience of marginal cropping systems as a climate chnage adaptation strategy. Orphan crops play an important role in global food and nutrition security, and may have potential to contribute to sustainable food systems under climate change. Owing to reports of their potential under water scarcity, there is an argument to promote them to sustainably address challenges such as increasing drought and water scarcity, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, and employment creation under climate change. We conducted a scoping review using online databases to identify the prospects of orphan crops to contribute to (1) sustainable and healthy food systems, (2) genetic resources for future crop improvement, and (3) improving agricultural sustainability under climate change. The review found that, as a product of generations of landrace agriculture, several orphan crops are nutritious, resilient, and adapted to niche marginal agricultural environments. Including such orphan crops in the existing monocultural cropping systems could support more sustainable, nutritious, and diverse food systems in marginalised agricultural environments. Orphan crops also represent a broad gene pool for future crop improvement. The reduction in arable land due to climate change offers opportunities to expand the area under their production. Their suitability to marginal niche and low-input environments offers opportunities for low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an agro-ecosystems, production, and processing perspective. This, together with their status as a sub-set of agro-biodiversity, offers opportunities to address socio-economic and environmental challenges under climate change. With research and development, and policy to support them, orphan crops could play an important role in climate-change adaptation, especially in the global south.

/pdf/prospects-of-orphan-crops-in-climate-change-4u1m5aqu1d.pdf

Prospects of orphan crops in climate change

Although the term itself was only developed in the 1970s, food security has played a central role in policies that have shaped the history of South Africa from the 17th century. As with the changing international interpretation of food security over the past four decades, South African food security determinants have been interpreted differently by different ruling authorities and governments over three centuries. The Natives Land Act of 1913 played a significant role in determining the food security context of the country in terms of the character, composition and contribution of the agricultural sector, shaped consumption patterns and determined rural livelihoods. While food security is expressed as a national objective in a plethora of strategies and programmes, no formal evaluation has been carried out of the food security impact of these programmes, and there is a dire lack of coordination and no enforceable policy to ensure food security. Any national food security policy will need a framewo...

/pdf/food-security-in-south-africa-status-quo-and-policy-lapwtefhr8.pdf

Food security in South Africa: Status quo and policy imperatives

Maternal and child undernutrition remain prevalent in developing countries with 45 and 11% of child deaths linked to poor nutrition and suboptimal breastfeeding, respectively. This also has adverse effects on child growth and development. The study determined maternal dietary diversity, breastfeeding and, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and identified reasons for such behavior in five rural communities in South Africa, in the context of cultural beliefs and social aspects. The study used mixed methodology technique. Questionnaires were administered to 84 households, pairing mother/caregiver and a child (0–24 months old) to obtain information on maternal dietary diversity, IYCF and breastfeeding practices. Qualitative data on breastfeeding perceptions, IYCF practices, perceived eating habits for lactating mothers and cultural beliefs related to mothers’ decision on IYCF and breastfeeding practices were obtained through focus group discussions. Maternal dietary diversity was very low and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life was rarely practiced, with young children exposed to poor-quality diets lacking essential nutrients for child growth and development. Social circumstances including lack of income, dependence on food purchasing, young mothers’ feelings regarding breastfeeding and cultural beliefs were the major drivers of mothers’ eating habits, breastfeeding behaviour and IYCF practices. Fathers were left out in breastfeeding and IYCF decision making and young mothers were unwilling to employ indigenous knowledge when preparing food (especially traditional foods) and feeding their children. The study provides comprehensive information for South African context that can be used as an intervention measure to fight against malnutrition in young children. Finding a balance between mothers’ income, dietary diversity, cultural beliefs, breastfeeding and considering life of lactating mothers so that they won’t feel burdened and isolated when breastfeeding and taking care of their children is crucial. Paternal inclusion in breastfeeding decisions and safeguarding indigenous knowledge on IYCF practices is recommended.

/pdf/social-circumstances-and-cultural-beliefs-influence-maternal-3obzl1k6z7.pdf

Social circumstances and cultural beliefs influence maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and child feeding practices in South Africa

Prospects and potentials of underutilized leafy Amaranths as vegetable use for health-promotion.

The South African government has implemented homestead food garden (HFG) programmes directed at enhancing food production in order to reduce food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty and hunger. The present paper evaluated the impact of this programme on household food insecurity using surveys of 500 households. Endogenous switching regression, propensity score matching and household food insecurity average scores were employed in our analysis. Our findings demonstrated that participation in an HFG programme could significantly enhance the food security status of participants by increasing household food supply and consumption as well as by income derived from selling any excess production from the garden. Specifically, our empirical findings showed that participation in the HFG programme significantly reduced food insecurity among rural households by as much as 41.5%. Therefore, we recommend that policy makers should encourage more rural households to participate in the programme in order to reduce their food insecurity. Facilitating easy access to credit, extension services, fertilizer, irrigation facilities and land are policy options needed to promote farmers participation in HFG programmes. Furthermore, the formation of farmer-based organizations and the building of positive perceptions about HFGs are some of the key policy options that can be employed to improve households’ participation in the programme. Promotion of education, participating in off-farm activities, access to market, irrigation, extension and credit, and adoption of fertiliser are some policy interventions that can reduce food insecurity among rural house holds whether or not they participate in the HFG programme.

The impact of the homestead food garden programme on food security in South Africa

South Africa has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates on the African continent. Globally, just 44% of infants are breastfed soon after birth, and 40% of those less than six months old are exclusively breastfed. To improve infant nutrition by 2025, the United Nations established targets to eliminate malnutrition and increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates to at least 50%. Despite the WHO Code regulations endorsed by the World Health Assembly since 1981, breaches continue to be prevalent due to a combination of weak implementation, monitoring and enforcement in low-to-middle income countries. Over the years, infant formula sales in LMICs (including South Africa) have skyrocketed contributing to excess infant morbidity and mortality. To that end, the specific aims of this study was to gain an understanding of priority actions and strategies necessary to improve breastfeeding outcomes in South Africa in the context of the HIV pandemic. The team used a qualitative study design based on a semi-structured interview guide. The guide consisted of eight open-ended questions addressing the WHO HIV-related infant feeding guidelines, the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, political will, and advocacy. Of the 24 individuals contacted, 19 responded and 15 agreed to participate. The Breastfeeding Gear Model guided the thematic analysis. The three main themes identified were 1) WHO guidelines on HIV and infant feeding, 2) Improving exclusive breastfeeding, and 3) Advocacy. Key informants identified issues that need to be addressed to improve breastfeeding outcomes in South Africa. Strong political will is a key ingredient to harness the resources (human, financial) needed to implement, monitor, and act against Code violators. South Africa and other countries with similar challenges should consider using the WHOs Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions (NetCode) methodology.

/pdf/gearing-up-to-improve-exclusive-breastfeeding-practices-in-3scb9h2f.pdf

Gearing up to improve exclusive breastfeeding practices in South Africa

The ultra-processed food industry in Africa.

One of the striking messages of the Lancet Breastfeeding Series is that the consumption of commercial milk formula (CMF) by infants and young children has been normalised. More children are consuming CMF than ever before. Only 48% of the world’s infants and young children are breastfed as recommended, despite the huge body of evidence on the lifelong benefits of breastfeeding. This situation reflects the stranglehold the CMF industry has on governments, health professionals, academic institutions, and increasingly on caregivers and families through pervasive social media. CMF companies exert undue control on the infant and young child feeding discourse, and the value of CMF sales have increased year on year. This dire situation, interventions to address it, and the economic, health, and survival benefits to society of optimal breastfeeding practices have been outlined in three previous Lancet Series since 2003. The 2023 Lancet breastfeeding Series underlines, yet again, inadequate progress in improving breastfeeding practices globally, with the powerful addition of quantifying the association between sales of CMF and national breastfeeding rates. The Series provides evidence of the overwhelming influence of CMF marketing in the promotion of CMF as a positive choice and the solution to every feeding challenge, thereby eroding breastfeeding practices. This Lancet Series recommends programmatic and policy actions to support women who want to breastfeed, including the adoption of a framework convention on the commercial marketing of foods for infants and young children. Although a framework convention to restrict CMF marketing could be a potentially impactful high-level action, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (hereafter referred to as the Code) that regulates the marketing of CMF has been in existence for 40 years. The Code and subsequent resolutions explicitly state that “there should be no advertising or other form of promotion to the general public” and that “manufacturers and distributors should not provide...to pregnant women, mothers or members of their families, samples of products”. Promotion through any type of sales device, including special displays, discount coupons, and special sales, is prohibited. In terms of health-care settings, the Code and subsequent resolutions call for a total prohibition of any type of promotion of products that fall within their scope in the health services. The evidence analysis in the Lancet Series shows clearly how marketing has continued, irrespective of the Code. Notably, advertising expenditure by CMF manufacturers has grown by 164% during the past decade, despite 144 (74%) of 194 WHO member states having adopted legal measures to implement the Code, which explicitly states there should be no advertising to the general public of products covered within its scope. These high-level actions are far removed from the environments where breastfeeding takes place. There is a crucial need for more attention to and increased investment in local action to support breastfeeding. The roles of civil society, consumer empowerment, and social mobilisation in building alliances, holding CMF companies accountable, and lobbying for environments supportive of breastfeeding have a long history, starting with the 1977 boycott of Nestlé. One action recommended in this Series to reduce the power of CMF marketing is use of plain packaging for CMF. A groundswell of support is needed for this action to ensure that it is included by governments in national legislation. The panel highlights examples of civil society action in support of enabling environments for breastfeeding. Such actions are underappreciated in the much-needed responses to support breastfeeding. Yet civil society coalition building is often coordinated with insufficient or no resources in stark contrast to the financial might and technical expertise that CMF companies have at their disposal. Change must also happen within the health professions to support breastfeeding. The research and evidence synthesis presented in this Lancet Series provide compelling examples of the strategies used by CMF manufacturers to influence health professionals and academia through education, research funding, marketing in scientific journals, and conference sponsorship. These marketing strategies have medicalised usual newborn Published Online February 7, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(23)00095-8

Stemming commercial milk formula marketing: now is the time for radical transformation to build resilience for breastfeeding


 
 
 
Background. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life is the recommended gold standard for infant feeding; however, mixed feeding (MF) is common in various settings. In South Africa (SA), especially in the Tlokwe subdistrict of North West Province, there is little information on the association between sociodemographic factors and infant MF practices.Objective. To identify the sociodemographic factors associated with MF practices in a cohort of mothers of infants aged 4 - 14 weeks in the Tlokwe subdistrict of North West. 
Methods. The study setting was 8 health facilities in the Tlokwe subdistrict. Participants comprised postpartum women with infants aged 4 - 14 weeks. Data analysis used SPSS version 25.0. Normal data are presented as means (standard deviation (SD)), skewed data as median values (25th, 75th percentiles) and categorical values as percentages and frequencies. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysed the association between sociodemographic factors and MF practices at time point 2 (10 - 14 weeks). 
Results. The majority of the mothers were aged between 25 and 29 years, and 37% had at least 2 live children. MF increased with infant age. There was no significant association between any of the sociodemographic variables and MF practices. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between increased parity and MF. There was also a significant association between changes in infant- feeding practices after receiving the child support grant at 10 - 14 weeks. 
Conclusion. The high proportion of mothers who mixed-fed indicates that it is still the norm, as in other SA contexts. Therefore, strengthened breastfeeding education regarding appropriate infant-feeding choices in the promotion of infant development and survival for the short and long term should be emphasised. 
 
 
 


/pdf/sociodemographic-factors-associated-with-mixed-feeding-ch0xqjqr.pdf

Sociodemographic factors associated with mixed- feeding practices among a cohort of mothers with infants aged 4 - 14 weeks in Tlokwe subdistrict, North West Province, South Africa

Despite South Africa being a food-secure country in terms of aggregate food availability, it is listed by the World Health Organization as one of 36 high-burden countries, home to large numbers of stunted children. Recent findings, in the context of both over- and under-nutrition, have indicated that adult and child malnutrition rates have deteriorated in South Africa. The complementarities and synergies between food availability, access and utilisation need to be aligned in interventions used to address and strengthen food and nutrition security. This is particularly pertinent in the context of the widespread AIDS epidemic which interacts with food insecurity in complex ways. It is against this backdrop that home-grown or small-scale food production is explored as a feasible contributor to food and nutrition security for the rural poor with particular emphasis on contextual and technical factors. By illustrating a few successful models of home gardening, the evidence for addressing micronutrient deficiencies in these types of interventions is presented. The challenges to establish sustainable home gardening practices and the efforts needed to address gender-distinctive issues are discussed. The case is made for community-based agricultural interventions as a critical component of the various interventions used to address food and nutrition security at the household level.

/pdf/community-based-agricultural-interventions-in-the-context-of-35qhef2s1u.pdf

Community-based agricultural interventions in the context of food and nutrition security in South Africa

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