Food systems in East and Southern Africa face numerous challenges that affect their ability to deliver the economic, social, and environmental and health outcomes on which the populations depend. Addressing the challenges and opportunities in food systems is an increasing priority with national governments but also at sub-national levels. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of strengthening food systems resilience and sustainability. In order to fulfil their potential, ensure their full recovery from the effects of the pandemic and foster their resilience to similar future threats and crises, these food systems need to undergo a set of fundamental transformations.

It is in this context that this subprogramme was designed to achieve more resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems in these regions through an improved knowledge base, greater stakeholder consultation and input. All this, enhanced with institutional capacities and implementation of pathways building on evidence gathered through processes such as the Food Systems Summit (FSS) dialogues and adhoc assessments conducted by FAO and partners. Specifically, the subprogramme will work to achieve the outcome of strengthened enabling environments for food systems transformation through improved policies and legislation.

In order to contribute to this outcome, the subprogramme will implement activities to achieve the following three mutually reinforcing Outputs:

ESF will be the Budget Holder for channeling funds to SFS and SFS, which will each receive 50% of the subprogramme budget.

Status of the sub-programme
On going.

SET-UP AND PLANNING

The main strategy behind the subprogramme is to engender change and improvements in the food systems of beneficiary countries through coherent and integrated policy and institutional solutions, underpinned by multi-stakeholder platforms to promote coordination in the efforts of the private sector, public sector and other actors, and complemented by human and institutional capacity building.

The Lead Technical Officer of the subprogramme, responsible for overall technical supervision will be in the Food Systems and Food Safety Division (ESF), and s/he will be supported by a Project Task Force (PTF) comprising: (i) technical officers based at the sub-regional offices SFE and SFS who will coordinate and provide technical support to country activities; and (ii) technical officers from the Headquarters units with a mandate in the issues addressed by the subprogramme.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The main strategy behind the subprogramme is to engender change and improvements in the food systems of beneficiary countries through coherent and integrated policy and institutional solutions. This will be underpinned by multi-stakeholder platforms to promote coordination in the efforts of the private sector, public sector and other actors, and complemented by human and institutional capacity building.

Output 1:  Enhanced multi-stakeholder dialogue for evidence based, coherent, and inclusive food system transformation agenda

Output 2:  Harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks for food systems transformation

Output 3:  Strengthened capacity of state and non-state actors for food systems transformation

CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED

The main potential challenges that face the subprogramme are:

• The COVID-19 pandemic could completely impede or slow down implementation.
• Insecurity could affect access to some geographic areas in some target countries delaying implementation of activities.
• Inadequate collaboration of stakeholders and partners involved in the target value chains and food systems.
• Efforts made by FAO to strengthen capacity in evidenced based policies may not result in an improvement in policies since the actual development and implementation of policy reforms is beyond the control of FAO.
• Changes in government represents a risk of losing the knowledge transferred to the relevant national institutions.
• Governments and public sector agencies and institutions may not be fully engaged and committed to consistently support activities of the subprogramme.