SaveAct’s methodology shows that savings groups are about more than just money. The methodology can be used in conjunction with and to support so many other initiatives. As we know, food security is becoming a major global concern, and the production of food that is nutrient-dense and varied is paramount to healthy societies.

According to a recent survey (https://theconversation.com/almost-50-of-adult-south-africans-are-overweight-or-obese-poverty-and-poor-nutrition-are-largely-to-blame-224286) by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), almost 50% of adult South Africans are obese, and malnutrition—including undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins and minerals, and overweight and obesity—is a growing problem. In a country where so many people are going hungry, nutrient-poor diets are one of the major factors in adult obesity, because households with limited resources often opt for food with very little nutritional value to stave off hunger.

The health risks associated with obesity are also increased, and incidents of high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory problems, etc., are on the rise. According to the HSRC, nearly 70% of obese adults live in food-insecure households with few options available other than food with very low nutritional value. Obesity also affects women more than men, with over two-thirds of women being either overweight or obese. This problem needs urgent attention, and some of the recommendations from the HSRC include encouraging families to produce their own food to supplement grants and to invest in food banks.

SaveAct views the role of agroecology as a vital key to transforming food systems to be sustainable, socially just, and economically viable. Not only does agroecology provide robust climate-smart food systems, but it also empowers communities. As a result, SaveAct’s approach enables vulnerable people, including people with emerging enterprises, to access finance and take steps to pursue their livelihood pathways, including the adoption of agroecology.

The reality is that in a rural context, most opportunities are land-based. Furthermore, 92% of savings group members are women, and they want to protect their children from hunger and stunting and are highly motivated to implement changes that result in food security and sustainable economic pathways. Over the years, SaveAct and our partners have found a growing interest in the adoption of agroecology.

Recently, we attracted over ten thousand participants at the demonstration training sessions for savings group members in communities across five provinces. These sessions included exposure to starting food gardens, in situ soil testing, soil preparation, and selection of vegetable types. In the same period, the incomes of 700 micro-enterprises were tracked, and an average increase of 2.5 times in income was recorded over the period.

Agroecology is the endpoint for many people who want to address hunger, debt, and livelihood development. The implementation of agroecology goes hand-in-hand with savings groups because if you only introduce or focus on agroecology, it can’t achieve the scalability needed to secure household nutrition, safeguard against climate shocks, and maintain the natural resources needed to ensure long-term sustainability. We’ve found that many organisations promoting agroecology are interested in adopting a savings-led path to that outcome.

We ensure 13 months of direct engagement with members so that they learn:

• How to manage their money

• About agroecology and micro-enterprise opportunities

• How to reduce debt and make use of lump sums from their savings groups that enable them to take deliberate steps into new pathways.

These initial 13 months lay the foundations for providing social protection and livelihood security. Savings groups play a crucial role because they reinforce the financial resilience needed to support the agroecological transition, strengthen collective action and knowledge sharing, reduce dependence on harmful inputs, build market access and economic sovereignty, and address social empowerment and gender inclusion.

Savings groups help to build the social and financial foundations that make agroecology viable and sustainable for small farmers. Food systems specialist based at the Sustainable Food Lab at the University of Stellenbosch, Prof Scott Drimie, explains, “SaveAct stands out as a particularly promising enabler of agroecological transitions through its innovative savings-led approach to development… This integration of financial inclusion with agroecological practices ensures transitions are economically viable and socially embedded, creating sustainable pathways for communities to build food sovereignty whilst maintaining ecological integrity.”

At its core, saving is about sustainability, and through agroecology, this sustainability can extend to being so much more to secure futures and opportunities.