| Summary: | Rural infrastructural inadequacies in South Africa are well documented, but their effects on local food
security remain relatively unexplored. The present study investigated the effects of insufficient
infrastructural services on food security issues at household and community level in the area of
Ntambanana, which is characterised as a dry environment with few water reservoir facilities effective
farming. Focus group discussions were held with existing groupings of men and women, and interviews
were conducted with governmental officials and community members. A questionnaire then was used to
confirm responses and test the reliability of information from the interviews.
Our study found that there was poor infrastructure and inadequate support from relevant organisations;
the roads were not in good condition limiting access to market facilities and other destinations and lack of
an efficient and effective transportation system crippling the performance of small-scale farmers.
Recommendations emerging from this study include the need for attention to be paid to address the
fundamental deficiencies that hinder food security. Better infrastructure would enable rural areas to
compete with the urban markets and to attract internal and external investors.
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