This chapter aims to help identify how the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) could potentially constrain government action to achieve food security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It considers the potential impact of the proposed tariff and subsidy reduction modalities of the current round of WTO negotiations. The main focus is on the possible direct effects of the AoA, in terms of proposed reductions to domestic subsidies and tariffs, on food security in SADC countries. The chapter contends that while the potential impact of tariff reductions is minimal, given the LDC status of several countries in the SADC grouping and the extent of ‘water’ in the current country tariff structures, the longer term impact on food security policy options of SADC members is of greater concern. The chapter further highlights the comparatively low levels of public investment in the agricultural sector and the significant reductions of state support which have taken place over the past decade as a consequence of economic liberalization. It argues that the low level of investment in agriculture poses a significant threat to future regional food security.
Keywords: SADC, trade, WTO, Agreement on Agriculture, subsidies, market access