Southern African Food Systems and
Vulnerability Workshop
Gaborone
6-8 December 2004
Workshop Objectives
- To consolidate links between researchers, policy makers, practitioners and potential donors interested in strategic issues relating to vulnerability of food systems to GEC, in relation to a food-secure future in southern Africa.
- To determine key research questions relating to food systems in southern Africa and their points of vulnerability to GEC.
- To outline a proposal for a research planning strategy for GECAFS southern Africa studies on GEC and food systems relating to impacts and vulnerability, adaptation and feedbacks.
Acknowledgements
The workshop organisers gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from ICSECA.
Programme
(Detailed timings and breaks have been deleted for this web report version)
Monday 6 December - Food Systems
Opening and Introductions
Scene-setting papers:
- Introduction to GECAFS and Summary Outcomes of the DBSA Meeting (Midrand, April 2003) - John Ingram
- GECAFS Southern Africa follow-up Report - Jaap Arntzen
- Summary of results from GECAFS Food Systems WS (London, October 2004) - John Ingram
2 Working Groups, each to address:
- What parameters need to be included in a conceptual understanding of southern African food systems; is frame-work adequate?
- Who are the agents within food systems in the region, what are their roles, and how do they interact?
- Group 1 base discussions on “supply-demand” approach
- Group 2 base discussions on “determinants” approach
Report back and discussion
Overview of Agricultural Potential Information System (APIS) - Anton Kunneke
Tuesday 7 December – Vulnerability issues
Scene-setting papers:
- SAVI (Southern Africa Vulnerability Initiative) viewpoint and relevant aspects from the SAVI Cape Town Workshop (October 2004) - Mike Brklacich
- Viewpoint from SADC-FANR on food systems and vulnerability research interests - Bentry Chaura
- VAC (Vulnerability Assessment Consortium) viewpoint - Elliott Vhurumuku
2 Working Groups each to address:
- What are the current & emerging key stressors for southern African food systems?
Report back and discussion
2 Working Groups each to address:
- How do the key stressors threaten availability, access & utilisation?
Report back and discussion
Overview of SEI Oxford/GECAFS Methodology Briefs
Wednesday 8 December – Vulnerability of food systems to GEC
Synthesis of Days 1 & 2 identifying main stressors.
Main near- and long-term Global Environmental Change issues for southern Africa - Pauline Dube
In light of the GEC issues,
- Do we need to add any other stressors?
- How might GEC alter these stressors?
Plenary discussion
2 Working Groups each to draft 3 Questions (GECAFS Theme 1).
Based on both SADC and sub regional perspectives, each WG to develop a set of researchable questions relating to:
- key features of the FS
- current vulnerability of FS to agreed major stressors
- how GEC might alter vulnerability
Report back and discussion
Plenary discussion on overall planning process and next steps