South Africa’s food security challenge extends beyond agricultural production. Despite having a productive farming sector and access to food through domestic production and imports, many households continue to struggle to afford adequate and nutritious meals.

According to Statistics South Africa’s 2025 General Household Survey, 22% of households considered their access to food inadequate or severely inadequate, while 14.7% of individuals experienced hunger during the year. The figures highlight the gap between food availability and households’ ability to access it.

Food security requires everyone to have consistent physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Unemployment, low household incomes and rising living costs can prevent families from obtaining the food they need, even when supplies are available.

Addressing the challenge therefore requires more than increasing agricultural production. Improving distribution and affordability, while helping households supplement their food supplies, must also form part of the response.

One opportunity lies in giving greater attention to household farming and indigenous foods as complementary approaches to commercial and small-scale agriculture.

Reviving traditional foods and household gardens

South Africa has a rich heritage of traditional crops, indigenous vegetables and locally available fruits that have sustained communities for generations. Foods such as umbila (maize), morogo or imifino (traditional leafy vegetables), pampoen (pumpkin), patats (sweet potatoes) and cowpeas remain valuable sources of food.

These crops should not be viewed simply as remnants of traditional diets. They can play a practical role in strengthening household food production and improving access to fresh, nutritious produce.

Household gardens in rural villages, townships and urban neighbourhoods can help families grow vegetables and other suitable crops for their own consumption, easing some of the pressure on food budgets. Where space is limited, community gardens allow residents to pool resources, share knowledge and increase the amount of food available to local households.

Examples already exist across the country. In Gauteng, community gardens have been documented in townships including Sebokeng, Evaton, Sharpeville, Boipatong and Tshepiso. In Cape Town, similar initiatives have been recorded in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Nyanga.

These projects demonstrate how available spaces can be used to produce food. More South Africans could benefit from starting backyard gardens, growing vegetables on balconies and rooftops, joining community projects or exploring other methods suited to limited urban spaces.

Learning from urban agriculture initiatives

Cuba provides an example of how food production can be adapted to urban environments. Through its urban and suburban agriculture programmes, the country has encouraged the use of backyards, vacant plots and community gardens, alongside intensive growing methods such as raised-bed gardens.

Its experience highlights the importance of combining local participation with access to land, agricultural training and technical support. South Africa can draw lessons from this approach while building on initiatives already established in its own communities.

Passing food production skills from one generation to the next is equally important. Families, community gardens, agricultural organisations and schools all have a role to play in preserving traditional knowledge and developing practical growing skills.

Introducing food production activities in primary schools can help children understand where food comes from and equip them to contribute to food security in their homes and communities.

The Department of Basic Education’s School Food Garden Initiative, linked to the National School Nutrition Programme, provides a foundation for this work. Introduced in 2004, the initiative gives learners practical agricultural experience. School gardens can also supplement meals with fresh produce while helping preserve food-growing knowledge across generations.

Strengthening support for household food production

Household farming should form part of a broader national food security strategy. However, encouraging families and communities to grow their own food must be accompanied by practical support.

Government can strengthen existing initiatives by improving access to seeds, tools, water, suitable land and agricultural guidance. These resources can help households and community gardens become more productive and sustainable.

South Africa should not overlook the contribution that household farming can make to food security. By combining traditional crops, community participation, school-based agricultural education and stronger government support, the country can help more households supplement their food supplies and improve access to nutritious produce.

David Jacobs is Chief Director: Cluster Communication at the Government Communication and Information System.