The government plans to create a "food safety net" to buffer the poor against skyrocketing prices
Cabinet on Wednesday announced a series of interventions in both the short and long-term that seek to ensure household and national food security amid a global food shortage and price crisis.
It also said the effect of Eskom's proposed tariff hikes on the poor would be minimised.
It said that while the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa was still conducting public hearings on Eskom's application to raise tariffs by up to 60 percent, the government would continue to hold discussions with stakeholders on the issue.
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Cosatu called for the nationalisation of staple foods The cabinet also endorsed the ANC's May 16 energy summit.
The Democratic Alliance last week reiterated the need for measures such as a basic income grant with the view to soften the blow on the poor.
Cosatu called for the nationalisation of staple foods.
Cabinet-approved interventions include "broadening and strengthening" the coverage of the existing social safety nets, such as grants; enhancing" the implementation of an Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Programme" and the "fast-tracking" of the implementation of the land and agrarian reform programme to promote agricultural production and investment.
A cornerstone of this plan includes the mass production of biofuels to help emerging farmers, the government confirmed last week.
The government recently stepped up its provision of food parcels to the poor The cabinet said the measures were based on a "progress report" from its inter-ministerial committee on food prices, which span various departments.
"Cabinet noted the report and urged the committee to ensure that the proposed interventions focus on providing a safety net to the poor and are also designed to strengthen existing poverty alleviation programmes such as school feeding programmes", chief government spokesperson Themba Maseko said.
The government recently stepped up its provision of food parcels to the poor, while at the same time increasing starter packs for small farmers.
Maseko said the National Agricultural Marketing Council was assisting with the development of a strategy on food prices. Other stakeholders, including the private sector will also be invited to contribute.
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This article was originally published on page 2 of Pretoria News on May 01, 2008
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