The status of food and nutrition security policies and institutional framework in Eswatini.

Abstract

Overview of this paper Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) has a number of components in it; institutions, policies, programs, and projects. This research looked at all of these and the relationship to one another. Hence this dissertation will first present the FNS theory and its framework, the role of multistakeholder engagement in FNS, policy analysis theory in the context of FNS, and the policy framework and institutional set up for FNS in Eswatini. Further, challenges and recommendations raised by key informants will also be covered. The findings, discussions and recommendations arising from the results shall also be presented. Objective To assess the policy and the institutional set up for FNS in Eswatini in order to identify existing policy challenges and recommendations. Methods This is a qualitative study that involved interviews with key informants who were selected by non-probability expert sampling from among twenty institutions with direct or indirect connections to FNS in Eswatini. The methodology of this research involved assessment of deep insight of the multi-sectoral approach used to implement food and nutrition security activities from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, Academia, UN Agencies, Civil Society, and Non-Governmental Organization. The crucial sector policies, and strategic plans, and annual reports were studied so as to determine the effectiveness in participation in relation to functionality in the coordination of multi-sectoral or inter-sectoral activities. These documents (policies and strategic plans) were in current governance structures. This dissertation starts by introducing the research with a theory paper that defines the two key concepts ‘Food security and Nutrition security’. This was critical as it highlighted the knowledge gap regarding the uniqueness, yet equal importance of each of these concepts in policy development and implementation and the interrelation between them. It also sets the stage for the thesis. The next step was to try to elucidate the multi-stakeholder nature of food security and nutrition security dynamics and how these stakeholders are meant to function seamlessly to achieve food security and nutrition security simultaneously without scarifying one concept over the other. This is important because resources and expertise are not always centralized in one institutions, hence they must be coordinated by a superior body like the central government which has a mandate to do public good. Another critical step was to define policy and the general stages of policy development, and to define the policy analysis process in the context of food and nutrition security. This is vital because analysis can be of policy or for policy. Hence, one has to know how to analyse the situation for policy to be developed precisely for the existing problem or be reviewed to tackle arising issues which were not there at its inception. Based on these basic theory papers, the research project was designed and implemented to examine the status of food and nutrition security policies and the related institutional framework in Eswatini. The intent of the research was to offer recommendations based on the findings of the study. Results and findings The study found that there are a number of FNS-related policies that are used by various government ministries including the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister’s office, and other partners. Unfortunately, there is little coordination and inclusivity in developing and implementing these policies such that the FNS issues of key populations like women, and youth are not adequately tackled by these policies. The FNS-specific policies are mainly held in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. The other entities facilitate a supporting role of the policies and programs held in these two institutions. The dispersed nature of FNS policy implementation by institutions makes the implementation ad hoc and disjointed resulting in the difficulty to track progress and coverage. Conclusion FNS is a central concern to public health in Eswatini as it influences child growth and development and affects children’s potential contribution to economic growth at adulthood in the long term. One key issue is the pernicious cycle of chronic malnutrition that persists for several generations. FNS cuts across multiple stakeholders, ranging from government ministries, NGOs, civil society, and international development bodies. As such, they require a thorough coordination by a superior body with authority to convene all relevant stakeholders. This body can enforce accountability from all stakeholders on resources assigned to them either by the government, or development partners. This will help facilitate timely and inclusive policy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and review of policy, minimizing waste of resources and maximizing efficient use of available resources. Recommendation Based on the final conclusions, policy makers may consider assigning a FNS coordinating body operating at the highest level of government which have authority to summon all key FNS stakeholder to strategize collaboratively on developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating FNS policy. This body could also coordinate collecting, analysing and interpreting FNS-related data for monitoring and evaluation. Enablers and barriers to achieving FNS will also be collectively documented to be used as reference for future improvement of policy development and implementation including development of comprehensive and coherent strategies and plans to fill in policy and service provision gaps, remove existing hindrances, and intensify FNS enablers.