In my previous post, I wrote about the South African food system. Here I would like to introduce you to the concept of indicators, how it is used in South Africa, and why it is important to food and nutrition security. Indicators are used as a measure of progress over a period of time and often track trends over a period of time. Indicators are important when measuring poverty, marginalization, climate change and other aspects which result due to these measures.

Indicators of poverty are used across the globe in different capacities to measure socio-economic development; measuring poverty is especially important in developing countries so that resources are properly distributed amongst poor areas. However, measures of poverty may not always directly relate to household welfare and gaps remain for many countries in their methodology of poverty measurement. In the past, South Africa relied on household expenditure to measure poverty. Many surveys (census, income and expenditure surveys, community surveys, national income dynamics studies and general household surveys) were undertaken over a period of time to determine household expenditure in order to measure poverty. Many shortcomings existed in the monetary measure of poverty which was not a clear reflection of poverty in the country.

Later, there was a shift toward a multidimensional approach to measuring poverty in South Africa. A multidimensional approach takes into consideration different areas of living circumstances which is a move away from concentrating on monetary poverty. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), proposed by Alkire and Foster, which was developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Programme uses a set of indicators to measure poverty. In South Africa, there are eleven indicators forming part of the four dimensions of poverty which include health, education, living standards and economic activity. Together this makes up the South African Multidimensional Poverty Index (SAMPI) where data is collected through surveys. However, even though many studies like those conducted by Statistics South Africa, which were done to scrutinize multidimensional poverty, studies fall short of the inclusion of any food security-related indicators. One such study, conducted by Fransman and Yu (2019) identified that current approaches to measuring poverty indicate that gaps still remain. Such gaps include the exclusion of important factors such as nutrition as an indicator for health with determinants for nutrition being malnutrition and hunger.

Measures relating to food and nutrition security can assist in better decision-making which in turn will impact poverty alleviation. Indicators should be aligned with the current problems faced by the marginalized people of South Africa. Current problems relating to food systems and poverty continue to hamper development in poor areas of South Africa. Some of the issues are outlined in Figure 1 below and the possible indicators should be chosen accordingly.

                                           

In South Africa, studies around diets, food access and availability are minimal yet indicators for food security are essential in determining and assessing household and individual food and nutrient security. For example, in developing areas like the Eastern Cape, where diets are high in starchy foods, diet diversity is of particular importance as micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent. It is also important that indicators are also measuring the drivers of food and nutrition insecurity such as climate change indicators. To transition toward a food system with adequate nutritional supplies, indicators can identify the city region most in need. This assists with the development of plans and innovations that are best suited for a city’s food system.

Much work is required to create a system of indicators to address food and nutrition security in South Africa and around the world. Its use will be beneficial in decision-making and improve developmental progress in vulnerable regions. All stakeholders involved in food systems play a role in the transition towards healthier, sustainable and nutritious food systems. A way forward may be the use of an indicator system that measures and quantifies all food system-related indicators.

References:

ALDERMAN, H., BABITA, M., DEMOMBYNES, G., MAKHATHA, N. & OZLER, B. 2002. How low can you go? Combining census and survey data for mapping poverty in SA. Journal of African Economies, 11(2), 169-200.

ALKIRE, S. & FOSTER, J. 2011. Counting and multidimensional poverty measurement. Journal of Public Economics, 95, 476-487.

FRANSMAN, T. & YU, D. 2018. Multidimensional poverty in South Africa in 2001–16. Development Southern Africa, 36, 50-79.

NTSALAZE, L. & IKHIDE, S. 2016. Rethinking Dimensions: The South African Multidimensional Poverty Index. Social Indicators Research, 135, 195-213.

OLDEWAGE-THERON, W. & KRUGER, R. 2011. Dietary diversity and adequacy of women caregivers in a peri-urban informal settlement in South Africa. Nutrition, 27, 420-7.

PEREIRA, L. M. 2014. The future of South Africa’s food system: What is the research telling us? SA Food Lab, South Africa.

RUEL, M. T. 2003. Operationalizing Dietary Diversity: A Review of Measurement Issues and Research Priorities. The Journal of Nutrition, 133, 3911S-3926S.