DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN FOOD SECURITY: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN SADC

This paper gives an outline of current issues and challenges for disaster risk reduction facing SADC farmers in particular and African farmers in general. It reviews recent literature on the current state of agriculture as well as trends determining direction and future of SADC's and African agriculture. These are used to assess the opportunities and threats for regional and continental agriculture and farmers. On the basis of these, the paper proposes strategies and activities that could be adopted to enhance the future of agriculture. The paper advocates that these are the current issues and challenges for agricultural policy analysis, research, training and advocacy in SADC. Agricultural economists should assume the drivers' seat to influence the future of agriculture at the farm, national, regional as well as international levels.