Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Proponent

Nicolas Cartiaux (Université de Liège - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech)

Giampiero Mazzocchi (La Sapienza University - Rome)

Davide Marino (UniMol - Molise University)



Based on

- Cartiaux, N (2017) Urban agriculture as productive green infrastructure for regenerating urban landscape: youth innovation in Rome (Master’s thesis), Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech Press



We have also on article based on this approach which is in the making (Improving urban metabolism through agriculture: an approach to ecosystem services qualitative assessment in Rome.) 



Main responsible entity

Municipality of Rome

Lazio Region



Date/Timeframe

From 2014 and further on



Funding source

Municipality of Rome

Lazio Region

For further on, European funds for farmers support



Location

Municipality of Rome, Italy



Background/Context

In the municipality of Rome the relationship between the city and its surrounding countryside is given by the presence of large green areas characterized by significant historical and environmental values that coexist with a massive extensive urbanization. In several cases farming activities play an essential role for the preservation of those green areas. The decree “Terre Vive” (living lands) -Article 66 of Dl 1/2012 - adopted in 2014 has allowed 5510 hectares of land for agricultural use to be sold or leased to new farmers of less than 40 years of age in all Italy (Ministero delle politiche agricole, alimentari e forestali, 2014). The same year and following this decree two programs have been launched in Rome, one directly from the Municipality “Roma, città da Coltivare: terre pubbliche ai giovani e agli agricoltori” (Rome cultivating the city: public lands for the young and the farmers)” and the other from the Lazio Region “Terre ai giovani” (Lands for youth), which also includes lands inside the borders of the municipality. Those special programs allow young farmers to benefit from arable lands and historical farms within the city borders.



Focus/Objectives

Those agricultural projects are directly addressed to young farmers by loaning them city lands in order to help them to start multifunctional farming in order to protect and regenerate the Roman campaign i.e. Ager Romanus. By providing a wide range of services and activities such as agri-tourism and recreational activities, those new managerial approaches may consequently contribute to stop the countryside’s abandonment and to reduce youth unemployment, a major social issue. They represent an investment of different administrations into an innovative way of cultivating, investing in offset neighborhood and regenerating abandoned lands.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

The understanding of the program’s tenants lies behind the city’s socio-economical context, policy measures and agriculture’s particular importance (youth unemployment, land compensation policies of the city). All these factors led to a societal activism asking for the access to farming lands held by the administration. Diverses agricultural cooperatives of Rome funded the CRAT (Coordinazione Romana per l’Accesso alla Terra) (Roman Coordination for Access to Land) in order to express their suggestions and advices in the campaign for public space. They also organized several demonstrations and occupations, which led to the results of the decree “Terre Vive”.



Key actors involved and their role

The administrations play the role of the projects manager since they have a report to furnish every year. The farmers play their role but are also involved in a teaching and communication role of their practices. The last one concerns all the experts and researchers, who follow those projects either as advisers or as observant.



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

The farms are involved into local selling activities of their products through a regular realization of events, local selling points, dominical sales and the participation to some food and agricultural local events.



At the moment the food production is constituted by a very common range of vegetables and transformed products issue of a strict controlled organic production. They also share the wish to reintroduce diversity amongst the aliments produced with the use of old species.



In those suburban contexts, where the majority of these farms are located, are composed of local communities which are usually used to buy low- cost industrial food because they cannot afford the organic one. The production of local food available at a very competitive price allows them to benefit from products of high quality



Challenges faced

The state of abandonment and deterioration of the land areas belonging to previous management of non-agricultural activities has seriously slowed down the starts of the activities. Moreover, the farms cannot guarantee, at the moment, complete accessibility to public attendance, except for extraordinary events, due to the lack of essential services. Financial opposition represents probably the most problematic factor since the credit access has been often denied due to very restrictive regulations that do not favor young farmers with entrepreneurial objective at all. Finally, the division of the farms within protected areas and natural parks involves several problems regarding the funding through the Rural Development Plan which cannot be applied to any intervention performed in the public green areas.



Despite all the problems concerning the states of the farms and decelerating the realization of the activities planned, none of the initiative have been suppressed, demonstrating the possibility of overcoming these structural difficulties.



Lessons/Key messages

This program aims to the use of public lands for the development of multifunctional farms located at strategic points within the green grid of the municipality like in close proximity to regional and municipal parks where they play both the role of a park entrance and green connector. Looking at the bigger picture of this initiative it goes well beyond the perspective of multifunctional farms by bringing a solution against urban sprawl problems and valuable landscape services. This plan plays the role as a first experience for state investment directly aimed at the development multifunctional urban farms as well as to youth employment and the participation to the food system and could definitely be seen as a model for further development of similar initiatives.

Food insecurity has a proved negative effect on cognitive development in children even in high-income countries. The insufficient, lack and/ or low quality of food increased the risk for lower reading, math comprehension and emotional scores present already in young children. This effect is greater according to the precocity and intensity of food insecurity.

As the change from rural to urban grounds will probably aggravate food insecurity, every initiative taken will contribute to a latter success in life gained through better academic achievements.

Manuel Moya

Proponent

Government of Uganda through Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health



Main responsible entity

1- Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries together with Ministry of Health

2- Uganda National Farmers’ Federation, UNFFE, on behalf of the World Farmers’ Organization, WFO (implementer)



Date/Timeframe

From 2003



Funding source

Government of Uganda



Location

Uganda



Background/Context

The Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy has been formulated within the context of the overall national development policy objective of eradicating poverty as spelt out in the Poverty Eradiation Action Plan (PEAP), and is in consonance with other policies already formulated by government.

Some of the factors responsible for malnutrition, poor health, and reduced productivity, all of which compound poverty and its after effects have been documented. The guiding principles of the Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy (UFNP) include; adequate food is a human right; food is treated as a national strategic resource; the cross-cutting nature of issues of food and nutrition as they affect men, women and children; strategies for responding to food and nutrition concerns at all levels and; the needs of all vulnerable groups being integral to all components of the policy.



Focus/Objectives

The overall objective of the policy is to promote the nutritional status of all the people of Uganda through multi-sectoral and co-coordinated interventions that focus on food security, improved nutrition and increased incomes. This policy had positive effects in addressing the overall issue of urbanization and rural transformation, which is changing the assets of food production in many areas of the world, including Africa. Achieving global food and nutrition security in fact, also requires an attention to the rural-urban transformation phenomenon, which is slowly changing the social and economic balance, in most countries. For instance, changing rural-urban dynamics create many challenges such as the ability to ensure adequate infrastructures, the rising demand for processed food, the need to adapt to changing value chains, the need to address increasing food loss and waste, and so on.



Specific objectives are;

i) to minimize post-harvest food losses;

ii) To increase shelf-life of food;

(iii) To establish, support and expand appropriate food industries in areas where food is produced;

(iv) To reduce the reliance on imported food products in the country;

(v) To promote and add value to primary agricultural produce for both local and export markets; (vi) To promote efficient and cost-effective technologies for the processing and preservation of foods and their by-products;

(vii) To promote the processing of weaning foods using locally-available foods; and

(viii) To improve and promote indigenous knowledge of food processing and preservation.

(ix) To promote food fortification with appropriate micronutrients.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

i)assessing the state of the food processing industry and preservation methods in the country; (ii) establishing a mechanism for information sharing amongst food industries run by different bodies;

(iii) improving the basic infrastructure and utilities for purposes of promoting agro based industries in different parts of the country;

(iv) strengthening human resource training in the areas of food processing and preservation for different stakeholders;

(v) promoting appropriate technology based on food processing research findings;

(vi) establishing integrated industrial linkages in the use of intermediate materials and by-products;

(vii) documenting, promoting and improving indigenous food processing techniques and their use at the household level;

(viii) promoting local processing and production of edible oils using locally-produced raw materials, such as palm oil, cottonseed and sunflower;

(ix) creating avenues for accessing credit for the promotion of agro-industries; and Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy, 2003

(x) promoting fortification of selected foods



Key actors involved and their role

The policy has a multi-sectoral dimension and, therefore, its implementation shall be undertaken in a multi-sectoral way. For this reason, there is a need for a co-coordinating body at the national level. This body shall be the “Uganda Food and Nutrition Council” (UFNC), which is established as a legal entity. The UFNC is linked with the relevant multi-sectoral committees dealing with food and nutrition at the local government level.



Composition of the UFNC

The Council shall consist of fourteen (14) members as follows:

a) The Chairperson having a distinguished personality and experience who shall be appointed by the Minister responsible for agriculture.

(b) Thirteen (13) members of the Council representing concerned ministries and institutions, and the private sector, as follows:

Ministry responsible for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries;

Ministry responsible for Health; Ministry responsible for Gender, Labour and Social Development;

Ministry responsible for Planning, Finance and Economic Development;

Ministry responsible for Education and Sports;

Ministry responsible for Trade, Tourism and Industry,

Ministry responsible for Local Government; Makerere University (to represent institutions of higher learning); Uganda National Bureau of Standards;

Representative of Civil Society;

The Farmers’ Representative;

Representative from the Private Sector; and

Director of the PMA Secretariat.



4.3 Functions of the UFNC

4.3.1 Promote food and nutrition security at all levels;

4.3.2 Develop national plans, programs and projects that shall promote food and nutrition security in Uganda;

4.3.3 Develop an effective and efficient mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Policy;

4.3.4 Provide guidelines for planning, implementing and evaluating the Uganda Food and Nutrition Policy, 2003 Uganda Food and Nutrition Action Plan;

4.3.5 Co-ordinate and work in close collaboration with all persons, institutions, sectors and organizations involved in food and nutrition activities;

4.3.6 Promote and make the population aware of food and nutrition issues;

4.3.7 Promote research on food and nutrition;

4.3.8 Mobilise resources for food and nutrition interventions in the country;

4.3.9 Serve as an advisory body to the Government on issues relating to food and nutrition; and 4.3.10 Carry out such other functions as the Minister may assign to it, from



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

-The integration of nutrition component in the food value.

- The considerations of climate change impact and how it affect the food and nutrition security through the best practice of smart agriculture.

- The promotion of school feeding program by parents and some school administration in order to address both food and nutrition security.

– Several ordinances and bye laws passed by local governances.



Challenges faced

a) Inadequate funding for policy implementation

b) Poor Coordination between the different players



Lessons/Key messages

The availability of nutritious food in a nation is its pride and strength. Food security and nutrition need to be addressed with a multi-sectoral and holistic approach, especially when analyzed in the context of changing rural-urban dynamics. The urban population of Uganda has increased in the last decade and is expected to increase even more in the upcoming years, but this does not mean necessarily economic growth and poverty reduction. Similarly, rural transformation can have positive impacts because it encourages access to services and infrastructures and it reduces the cultural, social and economic gaps with the urban areas. However, those changes need to happen in a sustainable and inclusive way, otherwise the risk is the creation of new pockets of poverty both in urban and rural areas. For instance, though food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty are concentrated in rural areas, they also affect urban and peri-urban areas.

Proponent

Swiss Farmers Union (SFU) on behalf of the World Farmers’ Organisation, WFO



Main responsible entity

Mr. Beat Röösli, Head of International Affairs



Date/Timeframe

Since 2016, date of ending is not defined



Funding source

Fonds Landschaft Schweiz (Fund for Landscape Switzerland)

Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) (www.admin.blw.ch)

Private funding by urban citizens



Location

Farm: Archehof (www.archehof.ch)

Town: Hildisrieden

Region/Agglomeration: Luzern

Country: Switzerland



Background/Context

The urbanization of Switzerland is developing fast. More and more citizens are urban and even though their ancestors had been farmers themselves, they do not know much about farming, traditional breeds and seeds, producing fresh and healthy food and how to responsibly consume it.



Focus/Objectives

The project aims to attract urban people to visit farms, learn about the realities and taking responsibility by producing their own apples and juice from their own tree. Last but not least, the project shall allow the farmer family to make a living out of their small farm, which cannot exist anymore by only producing for the normal market channels. Thus, the project is showing other farmers how to innovate by providing multifunctional products and services.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

The project was very successful. Many people know the farm, become members and become a godfather family of a tree. The initiating farmer won many awards.



Key actors involved and their role

- the farmer family (www.archehof.ch)

- Pro Specie Rara (responsible organization for keeping traditional breeds and seeds alive; www.prospecierara.ch/fr/ )

- Hochstamm Suisse (national producer organization of fruits of high trunk trees, mainly for apple juice, www.hochstamm-suisse.ch)

- Interested Citizens from the agglomeration, who can even become a member of the “Archehof-Project” and contribute financially and by personal engagement.



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

Urban people experience farming and learn a lot about the challenge of food production. They take responsibility by producing their own apples and juice from their own tree. They partner with farmers and become more sensitive for their sorrows and needs. The farmer family can gain a decent salary.



Challenges faced

Such a project can only be a success if the initiating person is able to manage and communicate very well and taking quite a risk at the start. For the future, the main challenge is, to keep the people on board.



Lessons/Key messages

Innovation does not only mean to improve production processes but also services, emotions and knowledge beyond bulk food. Citicens are willing and able to take responsibility if they are made aware of such projects. The success of such a project depends fully on the initiator and his network. Private initiatives are much more successful than publicly funded ones.

Dear FSN Forum,



Please find attached the submission of Házikó Farm Ltd - www.haziko.farm/en.



Best regards,



Attila Králl

[email protected]



Proponent

HÁZIKÓ – www.haziko.farm/en

Represented by: Mr. Gábor Bertényi, co-founder and CEO

E-mail: [email protected]



Main responsible entity

Launched in 2014, HÁZIKÓ is the flagship project of Agri Kulti Ltd. It is a social enterprise, operating along clear social and environmental principles on commercial basis. HÁZIKÓ has a clear sustainable rural development agenda that is to enhance and stabilize the market participation of innovative small-scale farms and agricultural enterprises, while also providing city consumers with top quality, healthy and fresh food. HÁZIKÓ provides a fully transparent food supply chain “from farm to fork” and a local/national fair trade system. HÁZIKÓ is represented by Mr. Gábor Bertényi – co-founder and co-owner.



Date/Timeframe

Agri Kulti, the sustainable rural development research workshop behind HÁZIKÓ operates since 2011; HÁZIKÓ itself operates since November 2014. Farmbistro – Café of Házikó, operating along the same social and environmental principles, opened in December 2016.



Funding source

To this day, HÁZIKÓ has been using exclusively private investment, a total of cca. EUR 160.000



Location

Location of manufactory and the first Farmbistro Café is Dembinszky Street, Downtown Budapest, Hungary.



Background/Context

A number of international and independent studies investigating global food supply and food security possibilities of future generations conclude with the statement that a ‘viable food future’ will depend on the number and viability of small-scale, family farms and/or community-based food production schemes. In parallel, qualitative famine is an increasingly common phenomenon in many a city, while a growing number of conscious customers would choose their food from reliable resources. Consequently, market-based reinforcement and support of small-scale farmers offers a unique leverage point for rural areas to provide livelihood for inhabitants. Transparent food supply chains based on strict quality assurance also contribute to reconnect rural areas with cities.



Focus/Objectives

The validity of the HÁZIKÓ project is based on a very simple principle: there is great demand for fresh, healthy food from transparent, reliable sources in a wide circle of the Budapest gastronomy scene, while there is (still) an accessible and appropriate supply of these materials in the surrounding countryside, which does not find its way to the capital city. Missing links are: simultaneous knowledge about market and supply specifics, smooth communication between the urban and rural side, first-rate just-in-time logistics, a supporting platform and continuous field-research. These are the points where HÁZIKÓ can provide constructive and valuable intervention.



Credibility and transparency is guaranteed by a certification system based on social and environmental criteria. Products are free of additives and preservatives; packaging materials are strictly biodegradable.



We consider HÁZIKÓ as a revolutionary sustainable rural development and food-supply model that is scalable and adaptable in other urban-rural contexts. In future plans we intend to nurture similar initiatives in Hungary and abroad in order to promote sustainability, short supply chains and full transparency in the food sector.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

The model shortens the distance between local producers and consumers. By excluding multiple resales, producers can profit more, thus a local fair trade system is realized. Farmers gain stable, predictable market and are able to adjust their production to market demands thus viable small businesses will provide rural employment. With their purchase consumers also pay for the rural development components. Fresh food based on organic, only-farm-grown, and additive-free ingredients reach the customer easy way: our model of integrating farm-products to everyday gastronomy holds considerable potential for adaptation in similar socio-cultural circumstances (i.e. in bigger cities and its rural surroundings).



Merging the experiences gained in business, in NGO activities and the academic field, HÁZIKÓ exceeds in inventing and implementing niche innovations. Personal contacts, networks both at the rural supply-side and the urban markets, former successful projects secure great credibility and spotless reputation for the brand.

Image video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2nbIeqZUfM&feature=youtu.be



Key actors involved and their role

Urban consumers: easy-going and healthy options for city dwellers to sooth their appetites and to get involved in certain aspects of rural life and take a glimpse at local food-systems. Our clients are universities, cultural institutes, civil organizations and multinational companies, as well as private persons. Providing them with delicious food from clean sources, packed in biodegradable and environmental friendly packaging means a channel to communicate our social, environmental values and a sustainable view of a healthy, conscious lifestyle.



Small-scale farmers: concept securing a predictable income and reducing the risks through joint planning and continuous counselling. Direct trade approach enables fair sharing of economic benefits, thus creating a local fair-trade system. HÁZIKÓ currently works with about 30 contracted small-scale producers and also with the seasonal produce of 15-20 occasional suppliers. The number of farmers is steadily growing, but we strive to keep personal relationship with them based on trust, joint planning and continuous communication.



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

There is an increasing demand for nutritious, edible food from verifiable resources with which the quality food production cannot keep up. Food security in CEE is relevant both in terms of quantity and quality: while in some of the rural areas food scarcity is not uncommon, in the cities quantitative famine is significant.



Sustainable agriculture and food systems are essential both from social and environmental aspects. However, recent systems are increasingly considered as broken, especially in European context: agriculture consumes almost half of the common budget through CAP, but fails to deliver common goals and goods such as lively, resilient rural communities, maintenance of natural capital and climate adaptation and provision of healthy, nutritious food.



Challenges faced

On the suppliers’ side, shortage of reliable producers able to provide stable quality and quantity is a continuing challenge. Small scale agro-enterprises and family farms are often jammed in a semi-professional status without real intention or chance to move up a level.



On the customers’ side, widening the range of customers would require the sensitization of citizens to social and environmental issues with considerable human resource implications. Continuous efforts to change people’s attitude and call attention to the importance of these issues is a great task. Thus, HÁZIKÓ has to operate as a living lab providing unique opportunity to simultaneously evaluate the trends of customers’ expectations, as well as the performance of small-scale food producers.



Regarding the daily operation of HÁZIKÓ, the main challenge is to find reliable, skilled or trainable human capacities for the workshop in Budapest, who are open to the main goals and guiding principles of the project.



Lessons/Key messages

HÁZIKÓ also operates as a living lab providing unique opportunity to simultaneously evaluate the trends of customers’ expectations, as well as the performance of small-scale food producers. After 2.5 years of operation, we can confirm that Házikó is a viable, scalable and adaptable short supply chain model with considerable rural development potential that also contributes to urban-rural reconnection. Quality assurance and full transparency of food chain form the heart of the model. From the customers’ side, the need of a semi-community-based information and quality assurance system arose. Food Track is planned to comply these requirements.

Proponent

Anci Toscana



The below contribution is a Tuscany experience "One hundred thousand gardens in Tuscany", a new concept of urban and rural garden with a strong aggregative, social and educational value to recover traditions, foster sustainable farming practices, to promote environmental education, nutrition issues and poverty reduction. A new policy that take into consideration the changing relationship between rural and urban areas and a new approach of development of rural economy in different contests.





CENTOMILA ORTI IN TOSCANA

One hundred thousand gardens in Tuscany



APPLICANT

Anci Toscana



The Association of Municipalities of Tuscany, ANCI Tuscany (www.ancitoscana.it), is a non-profit association established to achieve the system of local and regional Tuscan autonomies founded on the principles of freedom, democracy and citizen participation. ANCI Tuscany represents 269 Municipalities (99% of the Tuscan Municipalities and 98% of total population) and constitutes the regional branch of the National Association of Italian Municipalities that represents 7318 Italian Municipalities (90% of the Italian population). The Association's main aim is the promotion and strengthening of institutional, regulatory, financial and organizational autonomy of municipalities and other Tuscan autonomies derived by the municipalities through continuous action aimed at promoting and supporting the effective implementation of the principles established by the Constitution of the Republic, the Statute of the Tuscany Region and European Charter of Local Autonomies. The Association represents the system of Tuscan municipalities, promotes development and growth of local autonomies system, protects and represents its interests, even in relations with other institutions and administrations, with economic, political, and social organizations at regional context. The Association takes care of the collection, analysis and dissemination of data and information concerning Tuscan municipalities and delivers support, technical assistance and provision of services to Tuscan municipalities. It promotes the coordination of activities of municipalities and associated bodies and organizational integration in areas where it can achieve the same levels of greater efficiency, effectiveness and economy, the decentralization of the functions of public interest at every level in a logic of institutional subsidiarity and simplification of administrative procedures, forms of coordination among the entities associated at level of territorial areas and on specific thematic needs. Thanks to its high experience designing, managing and implementing EU projects and its high-skilled staff, ANCI Tuscany is very active in the field of EU funded projects, both as Lead Partner that Partner. Through its subsidiary company, Anci Innovazione, ANCI Tuscany supports local public administrations in the management of innovation at technical and organizational level alongside the Tuscany Region and other Italian public administrations in the realization of innovative projects and services to citizens. It participates and supports proactively initiatives related to the Europe 2020 strategic pillars and in particular to the Digital Agenda at a regional, national and European level.

MAIN RESPONSIBLE ENTITIES

Regione Toscana through Ente Terre Regionali Toscane and Anci Toscana



DATE/TIME FRAME (REFERENCE PERIOD)

From 2015 to 2018



FOUNDING SOURCE

The main funding sources are public, they comes from Regione Toscana and from municipalities who participates to the initiative.



LOCATION

Tuscany and in particular 6 pilot municipalities and all Tuscan municipalities who took part in the initiative



BACKGROUND/CONTEXT OF REFERENCE

The urban gardening phenomenon began to develop around the 80s, experiencing a strong growth in the last decade. Urban and community gardens have become more and more common in international metropolises. They can be considered as an important tool to trigger urban regeneration processes, promoting socialization among citizen and the recovery of abandoned areas. The development of activities for the creation of gardens in urban and suburban areas reduces the gap between citizens and agriculture, enhances local food productions and traditions and a new policy that take into consideration the changing relationship between rural and urban areas.



Urban gardens are mainly located in slummy suburban areas in Tuscany and they are managed by old people who usually grow vegetables and fruit for their family needs. Urban gardens have unevenly spread over the territory, due to the lack of a common strategy and guidelines for the homogeneous development of such spaces.



Some Tuscan municipalities such as Florence, Livorno, Grosseto, Bagno a Ripoli have introduced innovative elements regarding the cultivation and management of such spaces, creating models for social inclusion and for the distribution of food to the most vulnerable social groups. Urban gardens have thus started to be perceived not just as a resource for individuals but rather as a tool which can be used to improve life quality, urban sustainability and the relationship between citizens, nature and the environment.



FOCUS/OBJECTIVES (AIMS OF THE PROJECT)

The key aim of the project was to define a Tuscan urban gardening model, allowing municipalities to recover available areas or to improve the ones which are currently used for such purposes. This aim matches the goal of radically change how these areas are perceived, turning recreational areas for elderly people into modern community centres for people of all ages which allow cultural exchange among farmers, youngsters and provide food for disadvantaged citizens. The new urban gardening model includes a series of guidelines which must be followed and respected by all structures on the regional territory.



The management of urban gardens has been assigned to charities in order to promote integration between agricultural, social, cultural and educational activities. Urban gardens represent a great resource for the community, especially in urban areas, since they can be used as a powerful tool to counteract isolation by fostering social bonds and to trigger urban regeneration processes.



Small-scale types of local and solidarity economy can be developed using urban gardens as means for sharing objectives and values. The meeting of different generations enables the exchange of experiences, thus becoming a key element for social development and for the enhancement of agricultural and environmental culture of the territory. Such model also disseminates education practices and information systems on agricultural traditions, the environment and on solidarity economy among communities that are often affected by individualism, with limited activity sharing among citizens.



The urban gardening model mainly targets young people, aiming to create opportunities for growth in the agricultural and social sector. Youngsters can indeed be regarded as a thriving source for innovative initiatives in which vegetable gardens, a fundamental element of rural cultures, can turn into a tool for aggregation and for the development of new shared management models of soils and activities.



KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXPERIENCE/PROCESS

The initiative “Centomila Orti in Toscana” (one hundred thousand gardens in Tuscany) is a regional governmental initiative for the 2015-2020 programming period. A working group established through a memorandum of understanding signed by Regione Toscana, Ente Terre Regionali Toscane, Anci Toscana and six pilot municipalities (Firenze, Bagno a Ripoli, Siena, Lucca, Livorno and Grosseto) launched the initiative. A set of guidelines and project methods for the implementation of interventions on private or public areas was designed, together with a series of regulations for the horticultural spaces’ management by those in charge. Various methodologies have been adopted in order to involve the citizens and the voluntary associations in the management of such spaces. The initiative was launched through a call for expressions of interest open to municipalities and an experimental call for the six pilot municipalities. A general call was prepared and the delivery of a guide was assigned to the Accademia dei Georgofili which provided information and advice for the implementation of the interventions to all actors involved in the initiative for each role.



KEYS ACTORS INVOLVED AND THEIR ROLE

Regione Toscana, Ente Terre Regionali Toscane, Anci Toscana e the six pilot municipalities with experience in this sector have established a working group for the definition of the Tuscan urban gardening model.

Regione Toscana has funded the initiative and issued a public call, originally open only to 6 municipalities for an experimental phase, then extended to all municipalities for the design and implementation of new gardens and the enhancement of the already existing ones.

Anci Toscana has promoted the initiative by getting all Tuscan municipalities involved, inviting them to express their interest and to take part in the public call for the realization of the interventions. Anci Toscana has organised and delivered a series of workshops and events targeting local authorities and aiming to gather innovative ideas and proposals in accordance with the identified model. It has also collected the instances and proceeded to a selection of them through a special committee composed by the main actors of the initiative.

62 municipalities, from urban and mountain areas, took place in the initiative with specific projects.



KEY CHANGES OBSERVED WITH REGARDS TO FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND THE FOOD SYSTEMS

The new concept of urban garden has a strong aggregative, social and educational value which can be used to recover traditions, foster sustainable farming practices, and promote environmental education.



The recycling of waste and the rational use of natural resources are two concepts at the core of municipal planning. Such urban gardens also promote local food productions and the cultivation of local varieties of germplasm. The close tie between urban gardens and voluntary associations represents a baseline for the development of a new culture, where vegetables and fruit grown in urban gardens can be shared with disadvantaged citizens in soup kitchens or through the food bank and charities, in accordance with the provisions of law 155/2003 “Regulations governing the distribution of foodstuffs for purposes of social solidarity” and with regional law 32/2009 “Measures to combat poverty and social hardship through the redistribution of surplus food” which aims to foster the relationship among companies in the food sector, big food retailers, companies active in the catering sector and voluntary associations in order to ensure the goods which are no longer marketable but still edible are not wasted but transferred to soup kitchens and so on. The distribution phase is also included in specific aid and development projects. This represents an element of great importance in the municipalities’ projects.



CHALLENGES FACED

The main challenge is to define a new policy to organized these areas in different urban and rural contexts. The new concept of urban garden has a strong aggregative, social and educational value which can be used to promote new approaches in environmental education, recover traditions, foster sustainable farming practices, rural responses to urbanization and promote nutrition issues and poverty reduction.



LESSONS/KEY MESSAGES

Over the last 50 years, urban gardening has been perceived as a pastime for the elderly or for hobbyists but this activity is destined to become increasingly useful for a growing part of the population living in urban areas since the citizens will enjoy its environmental, social and economic benefits. If implemented properly, urban gardening in central areas or in the outskirts can considerably improve the quality of life, both in technical and scientific terms: this activity is closely linked to the improvement of the air’s quality, of the management and storage of excess storm water to slow down the surface runoff, of the increase in biodiversity; the economic revaluation of properties and of neighborhoods adjacent to urban gardens is also a phenomenon which must be taken into account, as many experiences in Germany and USA clearly show. In many areas, urban gardens have indeed become interesting sites visited by curious people and specialists.



Another key aspect to be considered is the social impact of urban gardens: these areas can become community gardens (this is the case with many cities in Northern Europe) with benefits also in terms of integration of migrants who can be involved in such activities, developing a better knowledge of local traditions and sharing their experiences. According to law 166/2016 “Provisions concerning the donation and distribution of food and pharmaceutical products for social solidarity and for limiting waste”, a portion of the annual harvest is to be donated to charities and to be used in soup kitchens or for other charity purposes.



This is the reason why the Tuscan urban gardening model also includes the management of “complex of gardens”, granting free use to a third party that is to say charities, foundations and other institutions of private nature recognised under the 361/00 DPR, voluntary organization (L 266/91), social cooperatives (L 381/91,; non-profit organizations of social utility (Dlgs 460/97), social promotion associations (L 383/00), social enterprises (Dlgs 155/06), with priority for TAP (Temporary Associations of Purpose) which can ensure a sound management for the preservation of the areas’ functionality and goods.



Urban gardening also allows the recovery of green areas, especially of public ones which need renovation: this activity represents a great chance for municipalities to start urban regeneration processes in their territories, boosting the attractiveness of certain areas while improving their management. Urban gardening thus becomes a powerful tool for landscape planning, with great potential for the tourism sector as well, and a new model of rural economy.

Proponent

ETG Farmers Foundation (EFF)

Export Trading Group (ETG)



Main responsible entity

Various



Date/Timeframe

2014 – 2017



Funding source

Partnerships and donor funding (UKaid)



Location

Zimbabwe: Various



Background/Context

Zimbabwe has been facing continuous food security and poverty issues due to economic instability and continued climate change affected weather conditions adding to poor food production in-country. This has caused a surge of Zimbabweans to seek alternative sources of income and caused a rise in rural to urban migration. Therefore, with Zimbabwe having become extremely sensitive to climate shocks and drought conditions over the past few years it is necessary for smallholder farmers to seek out new and alternative cash crops that are drought resilient and are guaranteed a market to ensure commodity sales to increase their available income. It is necessary to alleviate poverty in rural areas to slow the urban migration as Zimbabwean cities are not developed enough to handle the rising populous numbers. The Zimbabwean market is in need of an export market and potential domestic market and ETG can provide that market with sesame and Zimbabwe can benefit from the entire value chain.

The introduction and promotion of sesame in Zimbabwe has provided an alternative source of income for farmers who are affected by their semi-arid regions. Currently these farmers depend largely maize on, cotton or other smaller crops in horticulture and due to erratic rain patterns the crop failure risk is quite high. Sesame during the trial period of 2014-15 proved to be very resilient under low rainfall conditions in Gokwe; encouraging smallholders to successfully adapt to sesame cultivation.



Focus/Objectives

To improve livelihoods and food security through partnerships towards the goals and this program addresses particularly SDG 17.1, 17.7, 17.11, 17.15, 17.16, and 17.17.

To create entrepreneurial smallholder farmers: to provide a new and alternative cash crop to the Midlands region and provide farmers with a guaranteed market to improve rural livelihoods, increasing family annual incomes, nutrition and economic standings.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

This collaboration between government, private sector and civil society is an effort to promote the Sustainable Development Goal towards no poverty through SDG 17; Partnerships for the goals. The program should be sustainable due to the relationship established between the smallholder farmer and our private sector partner who provides a guaranteed market and stable source of income to the smallholder.

EFF has a clear perspective from seed to end user/global consumer; taking a unique position in the commercial agri-sector to build a sustainable contract farming model that identifies the gaps and weaknesses and focuses on strengthening production up to the marketing of the crop. Under this programme, EFF aims to continue to strengthen its partnership with financial institutions to provide farmers with rural finance for inputs.

Stage 1:

Pilot created awareness of a new cash crop by “seeing is believing” innovation along with agronomic training, crop production analysis and showing profitability to the farmers at the end of the season. Formed farmer groups and tapped into existing farm groups to register interested farmers and link them with financial institutions. This stage also consisted of the selection and training of Agritex, government extension officers, lead farmers and field extension staff.

Stage 2:

This stage consisted of continued education and farmer training on sesame along with seed distribution. EFF aimed to offer more than a steady market to a smallholder farmer. The training consisted of technical skills along with farming for business education on the benefits of being a good sesame farmer and how she/he can contribute to the global agri-market successfully. By making the smallholder communities more aware about the globalisation/world market and its relationship with Zimbabwean communities EFF hoped to motivate the farmers in a holistic way.

Stage 3:

This stage consisted of best post-harvest handling techniques and training on cleaning, storage and transportation and how these factors affect quality. This was advanced through the provision of cleaning equipment this season to farmers at the rural depots and procurement points in order to provide the farmer with the best possible price for their commodity and to ensure their continued commitment to the sesame crop and the supply of quality sesame to the private sector partner.



Key actors involved and their role

IETC Zimbabwe (subsidiary of ETG) – Private sector partner providing inputs and technical expertise and is the commodity purchaser.

ETG Farmers Foundation – implementing partner, providing training, demonstration plots and in-field support through field extension officers

Consortium Partners:

Agricultural Partnership Trust – Field monitoring and support

Welthingerhilfe – farmgate engagement and monitoring

Palladium – donor funding pool – market developer

JepAgri – sesame seed distributor (incorporating and strengthening local SME)

Intercrest Capital Ltd and Inclusive Financial Services – providers of financial packages for farmers to be able to purchase input packages.



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

It is too early to assess the full impact of the programme on food security and nutrition. The growth of the program beyond the defined programme perimeters shows the willingness and success of sesame as an alternative cash crop. The programme offers farmers a resilient crop with a guaranteed sustainable local and international market. Monitoring and evaluation will continue with an impact assessment to ascertain the continuation of the relationship between the private sector and smallholder farmers towards the alleviation of rural poverty.

The involvement of women has a greater impact on food security improvement as women farmers have been seen to spend a larger percentage of their income on household food consumption.

The addition of processing of the sesame in a local factory in Harare has led to increasing urban employment and skills development. This ETG factory helps domestic capacity by keeping as much of the value chain processes within Zimbabwe to alleviate domestic rural and urban poverty.



Challenges faced

Sesame production within Zimbabwe used to only happen on a large commercial scale with established infrastructure and processes. Due to the economic collapse in Zimbabwe and the adjustment to smallholder farming schemes sesame has all but disappeared from production within country. Technical training and adaptation to a new crop with more intensive labour needs has been a challenge with the majority of smallholders possessing just the knowledge for the staple crops. This has been tackled through the introduction of supportive field staff who possess a wealth of agricultural knowledge on sesame production and through field demonstration plots, accompanied by field training and support to lead farmers in order to increase our area of coverage and support for the production of sesame and the support of all smallholders endeavouring to grow the commodity and increase their livelihood.

The unpredictable climatic conditions in Zimbabwe have been a challenge. Sesame being a drought resilient crop has performed well in dry conditions, however, it was a challenge when floods were experienced in various areas of operation.

Sesame is still a relatively new crop. Even farmers who have been growing sesame over the past two seasons are still new to the farming practices. The few existent sesame farmers in Zimbabwe have not had a stable reliable market as some have sold to informal cross border traders while small volumes have been procured by local companies. Dust content was an issue and low quality sesame was grown by the few existing sesame farmers. Sesame remains largely a smallholder crop in Africa mainly due to lack of mechanization tools for planting, harvesting and cleaning at the farm gate level.



Lessons/Key messages

This programme has enlightened many farmers with an entrepreneurial spirit – moving them from purely subsistence farming to sustainable farming by introducing a new variety of cash crops and training them to properly grow the commodity to get the best market price. Rural transformation is necessary to ensure food security. This project ensures rural transformation is done through the promotion of an entrepreneurial spirit garnered and supported by a private sector partner who provides the crucial market access.

Proponent

ETG Farmers Foundation (EFF) Export Trading Group (ETG)



Main responsible entity

Various



Date/Timeframe

2013 – 2016



Funding source

Corporate grant



Location

Tanzania: Tanga



Background/Context

Agriculture is the largest sector in the economy of Tanzania. About half of the GDP and exports come from agriculture. Moreover, most industries are linked to the agricultural sector as well. About 70% of the incomes of rural households are derived from the sale of agricultural products. Most smallholder farmers cultivate less than 5 acres of land using hand tools and traditional agricultural practices. Women form the majority of the agricultural labour force, especially in the production of food crops. Despite the importance of smallholder agriculture in the agricultural sector of the continent, restricted access to markets and credit, inadequate infrastructure and low levels of skills and knowledge transfer have constrained the productivity growth of the sector, resulting in increasing rural transformation through migration.

Most farmers are able to meet their daily food needs through their own harvest or by purchasing other food crops locally, but have no surplus food or income, and therefore rarely invest in productive assets or even in inputs for the next season, keeping the quantity and quality of their produce low and ending up trapped in poverty. Many even borrow from informal lenders to meet near-term cash needs.



Focus/Objectives

The United Nations declared 2016, the International Year of the Pulses to give significance to pulses as a future food for health, nutrition and sustainability. Tanzania is the tenth largest producer of pulses in the world and the second in Africa.

EFF has created an opportunity to commercialize the farming of pulses (pigeon pea and green gram) amongst smallholder farmers in the region of Tanga by partnering with District Agricultural Authorities and thereby optimizing crop yields, the quality of production and increasing profitability for farmers, linking them to ETG as a guaranteed market buyer.

Despite favourable soil and climate conditions farmers were not producing these crops because they were unaware of their potential cash benefit and were lacking farming knowledge and technologies for substantial production which would attract a commercial market buyer.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

Season 1: March-December 2013 – Demo plot set up and group formation

Farmers’ skills development and knowledge transfer through demonstration plots management and group training. EFF, in cooperation with government field officers, implemented an extension training model which uses a commercial approach to provide farmers technical skills as well as insight to long term profitability and value. Taking advantage of the bimodal rain pattern in the region (two rainy seasons per year) the EFF team and government extension staff taught farmers skills and best practices in pigeon pea and green gram cultivation from land preparation to post harvest handling, holistic farm management, land preservation, new technologies including improved seed varieties, use of fertilizers and agro chemicals, and farming as a business skills.

Season 2: March-December 2014 – Contract farming scheme (seed input loan)

EFF established a network of 800 farmers (direct beneficiaries): 500 to grow pigeon peas and 300 to grow green grams on contract for ETG. Seed loan: Each contracted farmer received a loan 4 kg improved variety seed required to cultivate 1 acre of land and technical assistance. The average yield per farmer rose from below 100 kg/acre to 150/kg.



Season 3: March-December 2015 – Contract farming scheme (seed + agro chemical input loan)

Input finance was extended to 300 farmers growing pigeon peas and 100 farmers growing green gram with the addition of a supply of agro-chemicals. At procurement, EFF introduced mobile money payments, contributing to smallholders’ financial inclusion.



Season 4: March 2016 ongoing – EFF activities:

EFF has continued with demonstration plots while expanding the project with a seed multiplication scheme. There continues to be a provision of inputs for farmer and mechanization services have begun to be offered on a cash basis. Through the official registration of groups the linkages with credit institutions such as NMB Bank have become secure and sustainable.



Key actors involved and their role

ETG Farmers Foundation – implementing partner

ETG Tanzania – private sector partner

NMB Bank – financial lender

Government Extension Staff – field operations



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

Of the 1300 farmers who took part in the project the average annual income for those who grew pigeon peas increased between US$220-$270 and for those who grew green grams their annual income increased by approximately US$380-$440. From the Tanga project 800 farmers grew pigeon peas averaging a yield of 300kg and of the 500 farmers who grew green grams their average yield was 350kg. This annual income significantly increased the livelihoods of rural farmers who have invested the income back into their properties and it has alleviated rural poverty within the Tanga region.



Challenges faced

Despite the enormous potential, the sector has many challenges to face. As is the case of the whole agricultural sector, smallholder farmers lack commercially available improved pulse varieties; have limited access to inputs; training and services to improve productivity and reduce losses; and have limited access to rural finance, storage and warehousing facilities and market information. This means that there is a great need to not only scale up production, but to improve the quality of the product and its marketability to meet the growing global demand. EFF faced all of these challenges with the implementation of the project but working with government officials and financial institutions using ETG as a financial backer EFF was able to secure financing for smallholder farmers through NMB Bank and NMB Foundation.

In terms of seed varieties, although the general trend in availability of improved seeds in Tanzania is increasing. The seed requirements of farming communities, especially the smallscale farmers, in terms of quantities and/or crop species, has not been met by the formal seed system primarily due to: inadequate capacities of the local production, socio-cultural preferences of different farming communities in various agro-ecological regions and farmers’ low purchasing power. In the attempt to cover the seed shortage, promote crop diversification and enhance the uptake of improved varieties, in January 2016 EFF designed and established an on-farm seed multiplication scheme providing the necessary legal, administrative support, inputs, tools and technical training to selected farmers in the region, to enable them to produce and supply improved pigeon pea seeds to fellow farmers at affordable prices.



Lessons/Key messages

EFF saw the opportunity to introduce pulses to increase smallholder household income and reduce poverty in rural Tanzania. EFF trained government extension staff to set up and manage demonstration plots, imparting technical expertise and working in conjunction with government so the program could become sustainable and long lasting. We also introduced improved varieties of seeds, usage on inorganic and organic inputs through technical training and formalised groups by villages in over 20 villages reaching over 1,300 smallholder farmers. The project will continue after EFF withdraws itself from the project due to the now established linkages between the private sector partner ETG and the communities of farmers and formalised farmer groups.

Dear CFS Secretariat,

On behalf of the FAO-Food for the Cities Programme, I am sharing hereby an overview of the work that has been conducted by FAO and the RUAF Foundation in strenghtening and building more sustainable and resilient city region food systems. It presents the approach that has been implemented, as well as the first results and outputs on the field, especially in terms of urban policy planning and governance.

Kind regards,

FAO-Food for the Cities Team

Growing Greener Cities (GGC) is FAO's initiative to support urban and peri-urban horticulture. Greener Cities provide a framework for increased food and nutrition security, creating opportunities for employment for smallholder farmers, women and youth. The approach promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, while providing a platform for economic and community development, building on linkages between on linkages between urban and periurban (including rural) communities and operators.



Proponent

Bruno Telemans

Main responsible entity

AGP/FAO



Date/Timeframe

2000 - present



Funding source

Multidonor (Belgium, FAO-TCP, Italy, France, African Solidarity Fund)



Location

Global, with specific activities in DR Congo, Burundi, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Bolivia, Namibia, Mozambique, Egypt, Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Chad, Cabo Verde



Background/Context

TITLE : GROWING GREENER CITIES

Current urbanization trends create market opportunities, as urban populations rely on steady and reliable sources of agricultural produce to supply their food needs. Horticultural crops, which can be produced within the urban limits as well as in periurban and rural areas, are particularly suitable to create opportunities to link urban, periurban and rural producers with urban markets.



Urbanization in low-income countries is accompanied by high levels of poverty, unemployment and food insecurity. Worldwide, an estimated one billion people live in crowded slums, without access to basic health, water and sanitation services. Around 30 percent of the developing world's urban population - 770 million people - are unemployed or "working poor", with incomes below official poverty lines.



Those urban poor spend most of their income just to feed themselves. Yet their children suffer levels of malnutrition that are often as high as those found in rural areas. To survive, millions of slum dwellers have resorted to growing their own food on every piece of available land: in backyards, along rivers, roads and railways, and under power lines.



The growth of urban slums outpaces urban growth by a wide margin. By 2020, the proportion of the urban population living in poverty could reach 45 percent, or 1.4 billion people. By then, 85 percent of poor people in Latin America, and almost half of those in Africa and Asia, will be concentrated in towns and cities.



Urban and peri-urban horticulture (UPH) or the cultivation of a wide range of crops - including fruit, vegetables, roots, tubers and ornamental plants - within cities and in the surrounding areas has emerged as the core sector of the effective development of greener cities.



Cities and their surroundings are indeed places of opportunity - for economies of scale, employment and improved living standards, even for the poorest city-dwellers. Aiming at “Green Cities” is a recent trend in urban development, both in the North and in the South. The core principles of greener cities can guide urban development that contributes to food and nutrition security, decent work and income, a clean environment and good governance for all citizens.

Through multidisciplinary projects, FAO has helped governments and city administrations to optimize policies, institutional frameworks and support services for UPH, and to improve horticultural production systems. It has promoted irrigated commercial market gardening on urban and periurban peripheries, simple microgardens in slum areas, and green rooftops in densely populated city centres. UPH and GGC have recently gained momentum in the context of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, already undersigned by 135 Mayors of cities from the north and the south and the implementation of city-to-city and south-south cooperation opportunities.



Focus/Objectives

Based on experiences gained in the field, FAO’s “Growing Greener Cities” initiative proposes a multisector framework for action in five points to overcome constraints, create local ownership and enhance the economic, social and environmental benefits of the initiative.



Key characteristics of the experience/process

1. Ensure political and institutional commitment

GGC assists governments in framing measures to promote UPH development as part of national food and nutrition security strategies and advises city authorities on integrating horticulture into urban master development plans. It supports the establishment of GGC units within central and decentralized government structures and facilitates related capacity building.



2. Secure land and water for horticulture

Political and institutional support are needed to enable the legal measures required to secure land for UPH, especially market gardening. GGC encourages planners to demarcate and protect peri-urban zones for horticulture or combine UPH with compatible uses, such as green belts.



3. Ensure product quality and safety while protecting the environment

GGC promotes the adoption of good agriculture practices (GAP). The principles of sustainable intensification and diversification of horticultural production are disseminated through participatory training and extension, e.g through Farmer Field schools introducing small-scale growers to Integrated Production and Protection Management and to improved cultivars and cropping practices adapted to local conditions.



4. Ensure ownership and active participation by all stakeholders in the UPH value chain

GGC fosters the professionalization of the value chain, by providing training to stakeholders at different levels. It helps small-scale growers by securing access to training, tools and inputs - especially quality seed and planting materials - and to micro-credit. It fosters growers to form producer associations and facilitates linkages with extension, research, city administrators, private supply services and NGOs.



5. Secure access to markets

GGC promotes the establishment of neighborhood market facilities and practices to facilitate the availability and access to fresh horticulture produce for the urban population at large. It also entails the exploration of innovative channels to consumers, such as farmers' markets and supply contracts with restaurants and supermarkets, public information campaigns, labelling of produce. Niche markets for herbs, spices and organic produce are another profitable alternative to expand market demand and foster balanced diets, GGC engages in the promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption, which is part of the PROFAV initiative in partnership with WHO. In this context, GGC supports school garden programmes, which provide children with gardening experience and lay the foundations for daily fruit and vegetable consumption at school and at home.



UPH field activities are mainly implemented through 4 modalities according to the space available: (i) periurban garden schemes and community orchards; (ii) home and backyard gardens and (iii) microgardens on balconies, rooftops and in patios in the more densely populated areas, including urban slum areas, where only little space and no agriculture land is available, (iv) city-region opportunities to produce and supply the city, concentrating on processed and less perishable fruits and vegetables.



Growing Greener Cities initiative is consistent with the UN Decade of action for Nutrition and the Rome Declaration on Nutrition adopted during the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), specifically with recommendations 9 (on strengthening local food production and processing by smallholders, family farmers, giving special attention to women and youth) and 10 (on the promotion of the production of fruits and vegetables).



Through the promotion of high value and highly nutritious agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables, GGC initiative contributes to SDG 1 (on poverty), SDG 2 (on hunger and malnutrition), SDG 3 (on healthy lives). Within the FAO strategic framework, GGC contributes to SO 1 (hunger and malnutrition), SO2 (on sustainable agriculture), SO4 (on inclusive food systems).



Key actors involved and their role

Key beneficiaries arë:

Urban and Periurban smallholder farmers. Urban and periurban horticulture turns out to be particularly appealing to urban women. GGC promotes youth employment, as opportunities for young entrepreneurial farmers are created along the whole value chain.

Key facilitating actors are:

Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Education and Health. Their role is to integrate GGC in policy documents and to create the institutional context to ensure sustainable development of UPH within the national food and nutrition strategies.

Decentralized governments at municipal and local level to ensure the integration and adoption of UPH in the city development plans and safeguard suitable and water resources for its implementation.

Extension, civil society and NGO’s to provide training, provide input supply and foment the distribution and marketing



Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems

Over the past decade, governments in 20 countries have sought FAO's assistance in removing barriers and providing incentives, inputs and training to low-income "city farmers", from the burgeoning metropolises of West and Central Africa to the low-income barrios of Managua, Caracas and Bogotá.



Through multidisciplinary projects, FAO has helped governments and city administrations to optimize policies, institutional frameworks and support services for UPH, and to improve horticultural production systems. It has promoted irrigated commercial market gardening on urban peripheries, simple microgarden systems in slum areas, and green rooftops in densely populated city centres.



The FAO programme, and similar initiatives by partner organizations, have demonstrated how horticulture helps empower the urban poor, and contributes to their food security and nutrition. But it can also help grow greener cities that are better able to cope with social and environmental challenges, from slum improvement and management of urban wastes to job creation and community development.



Challenges faced

Often UPH goes unrecognized in agricultural policies and urban planning. Growers in that case squat on empty land operate without permits from municipal authorities or on land unsuitable for agricultural production. This also implicates absence of technical support, low implication of the private sector, and absence of quality standards and labeling.



Lessons/Key messages

The FAO programme, and similar initiatives by partner organizations, have demonstrated how horticulture helps empower the urban poor, and contributes to their food security and nutrition. But it can also help grow greener cities that are better able to cope with social and environmental challenges, from slum improvement and management of urban wastes to job creation and community development and strengthen the resilience against climate change.