SADC Ministers Push Regional Action on Food Security and Blue Economy

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene a high-level Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture in Victoria Falls later this month as regional leaders intensify efforts to strengthen food security and unlock opportunities within the blue economy.

The ministerial meeting is scheduled for 29 May 2026 at Safari Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and will bring together ministers and senior government officials from across the SADC region to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving agricultural production, strengthening resilience against climate-related shocks, and enhancing fisheries and aquaculture development.

The conference will be chaired by John Henry Steenhuisen, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, in his role as Chairperson of the Joint Committee of SADC Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources, Anxious Masuka, is expected to officially open the gathering.

Ahead of the ministerial meeting, senior officials responsible for agriculture, fisheries and food security from SADC Member States will meet from 27 to 28 May to prepare technical recommendations and assess progress on previous regional resolutions.

According to SADC, the discussions will focus on accelerating transformation of regional food systems, improving climate resilience, and promoting sustainable use of aquatic resources as part of broader regional economic development goals.

Among the major issues set for discussion is the current food and nutrition security situation in Southern Africa, including a review of the 2025/26 rainfall season, agricultural production outlooks, and forecasts for the 2026/27 farming season.

Ministers will also receive updates on the 5th Biennial Review of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), progress under the Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II), and regional efforts to increase youth participation in agribusiness.

The agenda further includes discussions on the SADC Rice Development Strategy, regional crop development programmes, harmonised fertiliser and seed regulatory systems, and plant health strategies aimed at boosting agricultural productivity across member states.

Livestock disease control is also expected to feature prominently, particularly the regional response to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). SADC ministers are expected to review ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-border surveillance, harmonise vaccination programmes, improve information sharing, and mobilise resources to protect livestock-based livelihoods and regional trade.

The meeting will additionally examine the state of fisheries and aquaculture in Southern Africa, including implementation of the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE), genetic improvement of tilapia production, and revisions to the SADC Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan.

Resolutions from the Victoria Falls meeting are expected to feed into the SADC Council of Ministers and contribute towards implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, the SADC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy, and SADC Vision 2050.

Southern African Development Community currently comprises 16 member states and focuses on promoting regional integration, economic development, peace, and sustainable growth across Southern Africa.