Increased Productivity, Role in Alleviating Food Insecurity Possible

Feeding the City, Pandemic and Beyond

FOOD FOR THE CITIES: URBAN AGRICULTURE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Cutting edge technologies to end food waste

Along the rapid pace of urbanization, urban agriculture is increasingly recognized as an important tool of sustainable food and nutrition supply, while contributing to the resilience and sustainability of cities from various dimensions. From a governance point of view, it is fundamental to systemically assess the urban agriculture based on local context for evidence-based food planning. In China, values of urban agriculture are being noticed in recent years, with attempts emerging to involve urban agriculture in urban planning and agriculture strategies. However, clear definition to identify the scope and holistic approaches to assess and monitor local urban agriculture are still lacking. The paper took Chengdu as the study area, to conduct a thorough assessment of the foundation, capacity, practices, functions, opportunities, and challenges of the urban agriculture locally. Building on these results, the study further developed an indicator framework tailored to Chengdu’s conditions and city objectives, for in-depth evaluation and monitoring of local urban agriculture by themes, following which a pilot in-depth assessment was conducted in Chengdu using the indicator framework. The outcome of this research for the first time provided an overall characterization of the urban agriculture in Chengdu and assessment tools tailored to urban agriculture in Chinese cities, establishing a good basis for strategic local food system planning and contributing to the formation of the Chinese paradigm in urban agriculture research.

Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, has experienced increases in the prices of basic food commodities since 2002, with the sharpest increase noticed over the period 2007–2011. Major factors contributing to this trend include rapid growth in the demand for food due to the increase in population, urbanisation, drought (climate changes) impacts in the agricultural areas of Uganda and a sharp increase in the cost of living driven by inflation. The increase in food prices has made it difficult for many low income earners in Kampala to meet their daily food requirements. In response, urban and peri-urban agriculture is making a very important contribution to the general food supply of the city. Besides making a significant contribution to the food basket of Kampala city, urban and peri-urban agriculture represents an important economic activity within the city. Emerging policy and planning frameworks support the continued positive contribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture. To that effect Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) now recognizes urban agriculture as a land use system and a vital policy issue. However, more is still needed from the public, urban authorities, urban planners and policy makers to strengthen this vital sector. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of urban and peri-urban agriculture and its contribution to the food supply crisis in Kampala city, as well as the process of developing policies to enable urban agriculture in Kampala city.

The increasing impact due to urban population’s food supply causes a series of negative externalities related to food production, transformation and transportation. FAO and other institutions are trying to integrate traditional models of food supply with alternative ones like Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture (UPA). Defining the drivers that motivate the participation in different types of UPA could be useful to plan more participated and effective UPA development policies. Barcelona (Spain) hosts a number of cases representing different declinations that UPA can assume. This work aims at describing the differences in terms of motivations to enter the various typologies of Urban Agriculture (UA) in Barcelona. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews to 4 groups of users representing 3 of the most widespread models of UA initiatives in Barcelona (Allotment Gardens, Community Gardens, Pla Buits.)The results showed that participation in UA is mainly motivated by relational aspects and knowledge exchange and differences exist among the various UA models. Political reasons are mostly influencing the Community Gardeners while Pla Buits users’ mains motivations are related to socialising and Allotment gardeners are mainly motivated by environmental aspects. Differences in the participants’ demographic characteristics also emerged. Better targeted public policies contents and communication strategies for UPA development can thus be derived by the results obtained; to this end, recommendations have been provided. Further research should broaden the range of case studies and the sample size, in order to provide a more effective and comprehensive tool for tailoring UPA developing strategies to different contexts.

Objective – This study aims to analyze the contribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture in mitigating food insecurity in Brazil, considering the relevance of the National Program for Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (2018) and the recent Law No. 14,935/2024. The research seeks to map and analyze academic studies on the subject, highlighting the main contributions of community gardens to sustainable development. Methodology – The research adopted a qualitative state-of-the-art approach, analyzing theses and dissertations available in the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD) published between 2020 and 2024. Seven studies were identified and analyzed, considering their contributions to urban and community agriculture. Originality/relevance – The study fills a gap by linking urban agriculture to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its role in poverty eradication (SDG 2), education promotion (SDG 4), economic growth (SDG 8), and sustainable cities (SDG 11). Additionally, it proposes strategies to strengthen the implementation of public policies focused on urban agriculture. Results – The analysis revealed that community gardens have great potential to contribute to food and nutritional security while generating jobs and income. However, challenges were identified, such as the need for more effective public policies, incentives for local consumption, and strengthening of community initiatives. The research suggests that state and municipal governments without specific legislation on urban agriculture develop local policies aligned with national legislation. Theoretical/methodological contributions – The study contributes to the debate on food security and sustainable development by consolidating knowledge on urban agriculture from recent academic literature. It also proposes that future research analyze the contributions of urban agriculture to vulnerable populations registered in the Federal Government's Unified Registry. Social and environmental contributions – The research reinforces the importance of urban agriculture as a strategy for social and economic inclusion, promoting environmental sustainability and agroecological education. Encouraging community gardens and policies supporting local consumption can strengthen food supply networks and reduce food insecurity in urban centers.

Food insecurity remains a critical determinant of health, disproportionately affecting displaced populations. Individuals forced to flee due to conflict, disasters, or economic hardship face increased challenges in accessing food, a situation worsened by COVID-19-related disruptions in food supply and relief efforts. This study examines how cash incentives mitigate food insecurity among forcibly displaced Rohingya communities in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district, utilizing data from the 2020–2021 Cox’s Bazar high-frequency survey. Data were collected among 5020 participants. We employed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Results from the multivariate model highlight that households receiving cash incentives had significantly lower odds of experiencing food insecurity (OR = 0.19, CI = 0.09–0.38), even after adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Additionally, females (OR = 3.44, CI = 1.41–5.36), the unemployed (OR = 3.45, CI = 2.67–6.13), individuals with declining incomes (OR = 1.46, CI = 1.39–5.44), and larger households (those with more than five members) (OR = 1.89, CI = 1.35–4.47) were found to be at significantly higher risk of food insecurity. Based on these findings, we recommend that targeted cash transfer programs be institutionalized within broader national food security strategies. These programs should prioritize high-risk groups, such as unemployed individuals, female-headed households, and large families, and be integrated with employment initiatives and income support mechanisms. Furthermore, addressing social determinants such as housing and healthcare, alongside economic support, will contribute to more sustainable food security. Linking cash assistance with economic resilience strategies such as wage subsidies, social protection schemes, and vocational training can help reduce dependency on temporary relief and empower displaced populations toward long-term stability.

Urban farming plays a crucial role in addressing food security challenges in both developed and developing regions. This comparative review explores the dynamics of urban farming and its impact on food supply in two diverse contexts: the United States (USA) and African cities. The study investigates the unique challenges and opportunities faced by urban farming initiatives in these regions, considering factors such as infrastructure, socio-economic conditions, and agricultural practices. In the USA, urban farming has gained momentum as a sustainable solution to enhance local food production and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation. The analysis delves into the policies, technological advancements, and community engagement strategies that have contributed to the success of urban farming in American cities. Additionally, the study examines the integration of rooftop gardens, vertical farming, and community-supported agriculture in the USA's urban landscape. Conversely, African cities grapple with distinct challenges in implementing and sustaining urban farming practices. The review explores the impact of rapid urbanization, limited resources, and diverse climatic conditions on the feasibility of urban agriculture in African contexts. Strategies such as community empowerment, micro-financing, and knowledge sharing are examined to understand their role in overcoming obstacles and fostering resilient urban farming systems. Keywords: Urban Farming, Food Supply, Sustainable Agriculture, USA, African Cities, Urbanization, Community Engagement, Agricultural Practices, Food Security, Comparative Analysis.

Factors like population growth, climate change, rural-urban migration and depletion of limited resources have significantly intensified demands placed on the food chain supply. Recently, urban farming has been receiving attention due to its potential to make a notable contribution to sustainable food production systems. To address the research gaps such as technology adoption factors, high cost, environmental benefits, geospatial data integration and policy framework etc., a systematic review of urban farming systems in the South and Southeast Asian countries was performed. Review was conducted using screening and exclusion-inclusion criteria based on the ‘preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis’ (PRISMA) method. The databases were taken from Scopus and Web of Science considering keywords such as ‘urban farming’, ‘vertical farming’, ‘food security’, ‘urban sustainability’, as well as various combinations thereof, focusing on the Southeast and South Asian countries. The review revealed that sustainability is a multi-dimensional factor in the context of urban farming, as it decreases the negative effects on environment and foster its long-term sustainability. Urban farming may help development of more sustainable food systems by increasing the efficiency of smart water usage and managing trash properly. The adoption of energy-efficient technologies powered by sustainable energy resources can play a crucial role in decreasing the carbon emissions associated with the operations of urban farming as well as urban self-sufficient food systems. Urban farming automation can facilitate the optimization of land exploitation and generation of increased yields per unit of land. Urban farming with the fusion of technological advancements have the ability to establish more self-reliant and ecologically conscious systems for producing food, thereby guaranteeing the welfare and food security of urban populations. This article will help innovative researchers, farmers and policy makers in advancing urban farming in an integrated and advancing manner toward sustainable food security.

The population living in cities is continuously increasing worldwide. In developing countries, this phenomenon is exacerbated by poverty, leading to tremendous problems of employment, immigration from the rural areas, transportation, food supply and environment protection. Simultaneously with the growth of cities, a new type of agriculture has emerged; namely, urban agriculture. Here, the main functions of urban agriculture are described: its social roles, the economic functions as part of its multi-functionality, the constraints, and the risks for human consumption and the living environment. We highlight the following major points. (1) Agricultural activity will continue to be a strong contributor to urban households. Currently, differences between rural and urban livelihood households appear to be decreasing. (2) Urban agricultural production includes aquaculture, livestock and plants. The commonest crops are perishable leafy vegetables, particularly in South-east Asia and Africa. These vegetable industries have short marketing chains with lower price differentials between farmers and consumers than longer chains. The city food supply function is one of the various roles and objectives of urban agriculture that leads to increasing dialogue between urban dwellers, city authorities and farmers. (3) One of the farmers’ issues is to produce high quality products in highly populated areas and within a polluted environment. Agricultural production in cities faces the following challenges: access to the main agricultural inputs, fertilizers and water; production in a polluted environment; and limitation of its negative impact on the environment. Urban agriculture can reuse city wastes, but this will not be enough to achieve high yields, and there is still a risk of producing unsafe products. These are the main challenges for urban agriculture in keeping its multi-functional activities such as cleansing, opening up the urban space, and producing fresh and nutritious food.

The population living in cities is continuously increasing worldwide. In developing countries, this phenomenon is exacerbated by poverty, leading to tremendous problems of employment, immigration from the rural areas, transportation, food supply and environment protection. Simultaneously with the growth of cities, a new type of agriculture has emerged; namely, urban agriculture. Here, the main functions of urban agriculture are described: its social roles, the economic functions as part of its multi-functionality, the constraints, and the risks for human consumption and the living environment. We highlight the following major points. (1) Agricultural activity will continue to be a strong contributor to urban households. Currently, differences between rural and urban livelihood households appear to be decreasing. (2) Urban agricultural production includes aquaculture, livestock and plants. The commonest crops are perishable leafy vegetables, particularly in South-east Asia and Africa. These vegetable industries have short marketing chains with lower price differentials between farmers and consumers than longer chains. The city food supply function is one of the various roles and objectives of urban agriculture that leads to increasing dialogue between urban dwellers, city authorities and farmers. (3) One of the farmers’ issues is to produce high quality products in highly populated areas and within a polluted environment. Agricultural production in cities faces the following challenges: access to the main agricultural inputs, fertilizers and water; production in a polluted environment; and limitation of its negative impact on the environment. Urban agriculture can reuse city wastes, but this will not be enough to achieve high yields, and there is still a risk of producing unsafe products. These are the main challenges for urban agriculture in keeping its multi-functional activities such as cleansing, opening up the urban space, and producing fresh and nutritious food.

Food security in a just energy transition is a growing debate about designing sustainable food secure networks worldwide. Energy transition, land-use change, and food security are crucial factors for food security and provision. The increased demand for food products and customer preferences regarding food safety provide various issues for the current agriculture food supply chain (AFSC). Along with rising sustainability concerns, strict government regulation, food security, and traceability concerns compel managers, business houses, and practitioners working in AFSC to adopt new tools, techniques, and methodologies to model current food supply chain problems. Thus, in turn, design the food logistics network for food security. Hence, this study investigates the core determinants of food security and supply in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon over the period of 2010–2019. In order to estimate the objectives of the study, we employ the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares estimators (DOLS) to draw the study findings. However, the estimated results show a negative association of land use with food security and supply. Likewise, energy transition, gross domestic product, and agricultural value added (AVA) contribute to the food security supply. In contrast, urbanization's negative but insignificant contribution to the food supply in selected economies exists. Besides, another core objective of the study is to investigate the moderate role of the energy transition on the gross domestic product, agriculture sector, and land use and find the significant contribution to the food supply. However, the current study also tries forecasting for the next 10 years and employs the impulse response function (IRF) and variance decomposition analysis (VDA). Congruently, this study uses the pairwise panel causality test and finds exciting outcomes. The COVID-19 crisis has posed challenges such as energy consumption and food security issues. On behalf of the results, the current study proposes imperative policies to investigate the desired level of food supply. The findings provide valuable insights for experts, policymakers, and officials to take practical measures for energy use and food security challenges.

Is community management of resources by urban households, feasible? Lessons from community gardens in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Food production and supply has been on the decline in Nigeria with a consequent impact on household food security. This study examined the influence of urban farming on household food security in Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 159 farm households in a cross-sectional survey. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-economic characteristics, determine the food security status of urban crop farming households in the study area, and examine the effects of urban crop production on households’ food security status. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics while the statistical tools were Food Security Index (FSI) and Probit Regression Model (PRM). Results revealed that 84.9% of the respondents was male, 81.2% married. The average age, household size, and farm size were 49.6 years, 6 persons, 1.1 hectares respectively. Most (75.5%) of the respondents did not have access to consumption credit and 62.3% did not belong to any farmers association. Based on minimum daily energy requirement per adult equivalent of N230.8, 90.6% of the farm households was food secure.
 The PRM showed that age (β = -0.1, p<0.05), household size (β= -0.4, p<0.01) and economic efficiency (β = -61.6, p<0.05) reduced the probability of household food security while access to consumption credit (β= 1.7, p<0.05) and allocative efficiency (β = 67.9, p<0.05) increased the probability of household food security. The study concluded that urban farming significantly influence household food security.
 JEL Classification: Q11