Optimising Agricultural Value Chains in Southern Africa After COVID-19

This policy briefing examines the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural value chains within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). While the agricultural sector was less affected than others, the pandemic exacerbated existing structural challenges, including food insecurity, a reliance on subsistence farming, and infrastructure deficits. The authors argue for a 'dual approach' that supports both small-scale and commercial farming, alongside the adoption of digital technologies and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive regional integration and growth.

• Food insecurity in southern Africa increased by approximately 10% between 2019 and 2020, with about 44.8 million people in urban and rural areas identified as food insecure. Additionally, 20.5 million schoolchildren lost access to school-provided meals and nutrition services due to closures.
• SADC agricultural economies suffer from a lack of heterogeneity, as member countries often produce similar products such as grains, nuts, and vegetables, with South Africa being a notable exception by also producing citrus fruits and wine.
• The region is characterized by a strong dependence on subsistence farming, which lacks the commercial and export potential of large-scale farming. The authors recommend a 'dual approach' to development that supports both subsistence and export-oriented production.
• Climate change and economic instability have created significant uncertainty in food production; for example, Zimbabwe saw a 57% decrease in maize production in 2020 due to economic collapse and poor rainfall.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which took effect in January 2021, is viewed as a critical lever for regional integration that could protect small-scale farmers and emerging industries by eliminating tariffs on 90% of goods.
• Digitalization of agro-value chains, including the use of smartphone apps and e-commerce, presents an opportunity to integrate smallholder farmers into value chains and improve coordination between farmers, suppliers, and financiers.

APA

Matema, T., & Prinsloo, C. (2021). Optimising Agricultural Value Chains in Southern Africa After COVID-19. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Policy-Briefing-234-matema-prinsloo.pdf

Chicago

Matema, Tawanda, and Cyril Prinsloo. Optimising Agricultural Value Chains in Southern Africa After COVID-19. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2021. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Policy-Briefing-234-matema-prinsloo.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Matema |first1=Tawanda |last2=Prinsloo |first2=Cyril |title=Optimising Agricultural Value Chains in Southern Africa After COVID-19 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=April 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Policy-Briefing-234-matema-prinsloo.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{matema2021optimising, author = {Matema, Tawanda and Prinsloo, Cyril}, title = {{Optimising Agricultural Value Chains in Southern Africa After COVID-19}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Policy-Briefing-234-matema-prinsloo.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }