Abstract
Global food production systems are currently under scrutiny, in particular the health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of livestock-derived food (LDF). Despite South Africa's recent socio-economic transformation and increased per-capita LDF consumption, the triple burden of malnutrition persists. Policy responses to such complex problems often fail because of linear thinking with short-term goals. However, a systems approach helps identify root causes, feedback mechanisms, potential unintended consequences, and opportunities for integrated, durable solutions. Participation in the systems-thinking process improves stakeholder understanding and buy-in. Our participatory workshop facilitated the development of a systems map for South African LDF, identifying key system elements, linkages, and nexus points. The latter included climate change, land access and management, livestock management and productivity, farming systems, food safety, policy articulation, agricultural knowledge, and income. Based on these findings, and an overview of related literature, we produced a conceptual system dynamics model of the LDF system. We identified key vari-ables and causal relationships, vicious and virtuous loops, system archetypes, conceptual stock and flows, and links to Sustainable Development Goals. The LDF system is complex and dynamic, with a dominance of commercial enterprises across agriculture and food retail, presenting barriers for small and medium-scale individuals. Other key elements relate to population growth and urbanization, land access, deregulation of international trade, climate change vulnerability, feed production limitations, and food safety. Our work provides a unique reference for policymakers, identifying the need for deep structural change, highlighting the possible unintended consequences, and thereby mitigating the risk of system destabilization.
Highlights
Food systems are increasingly disconnected from delivering healthy and nutritious food in a sustainable manner for all (Alders, Ratanawongprasat, Schönfeldt, & Stellmach, 2018)
Livestock-derived food is rich in energy, protein, and essential amino acids and micronutrients, and it plays an important role in the nutrition of children and pregnant women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Grace et al, 2018; Neumann et al, 2003)
This paper aims to provide a broad overview of recent dynamics within the South African Livestock-derived food (LDF) system and demonstrate the complexity of the system, using a systems map based on stakeholder participation
Summary
Food systems are increasingly disconnected from delivering healthy and nutritious food in a sustainable manner for all (Alders, Ratanawongprasat, Schönfeldt, & Stellmach, 2018). Current global food production is considered sufficient to feed even the predicted population of 2050, but it falls short due to poverty, distribution, and waste (Berners-Lee, Kennelly, Watson, & Hewitt, 2018; FAO, 2018a; Holt-Giménez, Shattuck, Altieri, Herren, & Gliessman, 2012). Livestock-derived food (LDF) is a major contributor to climate change, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss (Godfray et al, 2018; IPCC, 2019). The predicted trends of increased global LDF consumption are considered environmentally unsustainable (IPCC, 2019; Tilman & Clark, 2014). Livestock-derived food is rich in energy, protein, and essential amino acids and micronutrients, and it plays an important role in the nutrition of children and pregnant women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Grace et al, 2018; Neumann et al, 2003). Demand for LDF in LMICs often increases at a pace that outstrips the development of effective food safety governance (Grace, 2015)
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