The SADC council of ministers recommended that countries with surplus food, like South Africa, Malawi and Zambia, should sell this to those in need to ensure food security in the region.

Briefing media in Sandton, Foreign Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Friday that promoting drought resistant crops was being considered in order to reduce dependence on maize.

She, and the SADC Executive Secretary, Tomaz Salomao, believe that the Seychelles would be united into the SADC family by the end of the proceeding.

"Work has been done and we should be reformed into one family."

The Seychelles decided to withdraw from the SADC in 2005, due to financial constraints.

On gender equity, Dlamini-Zuma said the council would work towards the goal of 50 percent woman representation by 2015.

She said the launch of a Free Trade Area this weekend would usher in new opportunities for people in the region.

"We are confident that people will be economically and politically empowered," said Dlamini-Zuma.

The Free Trade Area would formalise the elimination of trade tariffs amongst SADC members, and enhance regional economic integration and the growth of bigger regional markets.

Sapa