Systems (FIVIMS)
10 October 2006
The Department of Agriculture would like to invite members of the media to
the launch of FIVIMS.
Details:
Venue: Emperors Palace
Date: 12 October 2006
Time: 18h30 for 19h00
Dress: Formal/ traditional
An information tool to help tackle poverty
Following the recognition of the need to better understand food security /
hunger and vulnerability in South Africa the Cabinet Social Cluster, led by the
Department of Agriculture developed an information system tool to satisfy this
need.
This tool is called the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and
Management System, or FIVIMS in short.
This decision-making information management support tool provides updated
information on poverty and hunger, and analyses the underlying causes. This
includes the investigation of how people access food through own production or
purchases.
FIVMS intends to build up a repository of reports and analytical capacity in
government to better inform planners and decision makers regarding relevant
food security interventions within needy communities in the country. The
information can be used by everyone including government partners and the
private sector to locate those in need especially for their corporate social
responsibilities.
The gathering of the information is done through the compilation of an
inventory of existing information sources from Government Departments such as
Education, Health, Social Development, Public Works, Water Affairs and Forestry
and Provincial and Local Government. This inventory will, for example, contain
information regarding programmes such as the Schools Feeding Programme,
integrated nutrition programme, social grants and the Expanded Public Works
Programme. A key indicator database is derived from the inventory. This is
followed by a concise livelihood survey and the development of a food security
model.
In 2004 and 2005 a pilot study was successfully conducted in the Greater
Sekhukhune District Municipality, which is one of the integrated sustainable
rural development nodes. The study was carried out with assistance from
specialised research institutions and universities. The livelihood survey
indicated that food insecurity was an issue of concern in Sekhukhune and that
53 percent of individuals skipped meals because of a lack of food.
More than 50 percent of children ate less than they needed to, because of a
shortage of food and 36 percent of children indicated that they sometimes went
to bed hungry because of a lack of money to buy food.
Based on the experiences gained since 2004, the department is in an
excellent position to provide much-needed advice. More importantly, it is
crucial that the system uses standardised definitions, key indicators /
analytical tools, models and measurement indexes / scales, which will allow
government to make comparisons between different provinces and communities and
allocate funds to the neediest areas.
To RSVP, contact:
Ms Tenisia Machitela
Tel: (012) 319 7089
E-mail: TenisiaM@nda.agric.za
Ms Agnes Moreetsele
Tel: (012) 319 7224
E-mail: AgnesM@nda.agric.za
Enquiries:
Mr Japhta Magolela
Cell: 084 250 2722
Mr Mondli Mbhele
Cell: 082 776 0051
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
10 October 2006
