A conference on food security hosted by the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, the Human Sciences Research Council, the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa and the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security kicked off on Monday to discuss technologies in the sector.

With the vast majority of the world’s hungry living in developing countries, local solutions are required to address relevant sustainable development, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) said.

The October 15 - 17 forum will allow world leaders in this field to engage in high level research conversations enabling South Africa to showcase innovation and indigenous knowledge, thereby strengthening international collaboration.

"The transition in the concept of food security from the 1950s to date has been strategic and inclusive towards ensuring sustainable access and availability of safe and nutritious foods," the UJ said.

The university said the trend had shifted from “self-sufficiency in major staples” through “access to sufficient food”, to the present day concept stating that “food security is achieved when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.