Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation
The High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) produces the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation”, at the request of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). The HLPE-FSN report will be presented at the 52nd plenary session of the CFS in October 2024.
With this e-consultation, the HLPE-FSN is seeking your feedback on the proposed scope of this report and the guiding questions below.
SCOPE AND RATIONALE
Almost sixty percent of the global population is currently living in urban centres (UNDESA, 2018; Acharya et al., 2020). These centres are widely seen as engines of growth and employment, producing over 80 percent of the global GDP, but also facing huge challenges in guaranteeing access for all residents to essential services such as health, education, transportation and food (Ibid.). Urban populations are rapidly increasing, with a growth curve particularly sharp in Africa and Asia. The fifteen fastest-growing cities in the world, for example, are in Africa. Alongside urbanization, there has been a “geographical decoupling” (Langemeyer et al., 2021) of cities from sources of food supply, with urban and peri-urban land use being reoriented for “more profitable” uses. As such, cities and towns are fast losing peri-urban agricultural lands, which have historically provided them with fresh and healthy food. Urban areas are also experiencing higher rates of extreme weather events that affect people’s livelihoods and incomes, while inequalities among urban populations are growing (Pelling et al., 2021). These trends mean that urban and peri-urban areas also concentrate risks for food insecurity and malnutrition, which became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic (see for example Rede PENSSAN, 2021), exacerbated by natural disasters and conflicts. At the same time, urban and peri-urban areas are resourceful, serving as hubs for education, technology and innovation, health and social services as well as for food production, processing and distribution, all roles that could be enhanced.
Often, in impoverished urban areas, informal economic and market relationships in food systems can be critical for food security, but suffer from policy and regulatory neglect. Informal food systems comprise a complex network of suppliers, transporters, hawkers, retailers and street and market food vendors, in addition to farmers, and contribute to making food more accessible and affordable to urban consumers. Yet, these informal sector actors mainly rely on their own resources and capital and have very little policy support for strengthening their enterprises and ensuring quality, such as support for access to market intelligence, transport and logistics, cold chains or waste reuse facilities (Tefft et al., 2017). In fact, in the absence of specific food system planning, the sale and consumption of highly processed foods is growing in most urban centres, while local commerce offering healthy, fresh food at affordable prices, and often in smaller quantities, is neglected, contributing to the so-called “food deserts”. These trends typically have negative impacts on food security and nutrition (Peyton, Moseley and Battersby, 2015; Battersby, 2017; Acharya et al., 2020).
This policy incoherence insists on a general lack of coordination between policies and actors concerned with food security, agriculture, environment, etc., and urban planning, and it is exacerbated by the general dearth of city-level data, analyses and empirical evidence to inform decision-making on urban and peri-urban food policy. As such, it is difficult for policymakers to plan, prioritize, design and track urban and peri-urban food system interventions and ensure coherence across policies and sectors. Furthermore, governments and other organs like famine early warning systems (FEWS) have also not been as good at monitoring food insecurity in urban areas as they have been in rural areas, beyond very basic indicators such as food prices (Moseley, 2001; Krishnamurthy, Choularton and Kareiva, 2020).
Cities can play a vital role in shaping food system policies to bolster their resilience in several ways. They can source locally or regeneratively grown food where appropriate, facilitate sustainable urban and peri-urban production of nutritious food, avoid food waste by strengthening investments in circular bio-economy (broadly defined as an economy based on the sustainable use, re-use and regeneration of natural resources), build inclusive food markets by investing in infrastructure for smaller scale traders and retailers to market healthier food products. They can also play a role in promoting resilience by mitigating and adapting against the adverse impacts of climate change (HLPE, 2020; Heck and Alonso, 2021).
Urban and peri-urban agriculture is an important option with potentially positive impacts on dietary diversity, the quality of city spaces, and community action and empowerment. Yet, in most cities, especially in the Global South, there is little state support for urban and peri-urban agriculture. Instead, current regulations in cities and the rising market value of peri-urban land limit opportunities for local production. A recent FAO survey indicates that municipal governments play an enormous role in identifying and connecting food system actors to foster innovative community-based initiatives to support food security and nutrition (FAO, 2020). In the face of the dramatic consequences of the pandemic, for example, home gardens provided nutritious and healthy food supplements and ecosystem services (Lal, 2020). Local markets multiplied, as did initiatives by family producers for home delivery of baskets of fresh food and initiatives for food donations to low-income communities. Many people in urban areas, especially new migrants, undocumented people and informal workers, were forced to go to food banks and charities, with great harm to their dignity and agency (Rao et al., 2020). These experiences point to the importance and potential of the territorial dimension of food systems for the realization of the human right to food (Recine et al., 2021).
Given the social and economic significance of urban areas, it is imperative to address the challenges of urbanization in relation to rural transformation to “build back better” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to supply chains caused by the war in Ukraine, internal conflicts and natural disasters. It is vital that policies address poverty and inequality, build resilience and social inclusion and foster sustainable livelihoods. The specific needs of diverse rural and urban contexts, the difference between different types of urban areas (e.g. megacities and towns in largely rural areas) and the linkages between them in the rural-urban continuum, should be considered in formulating food policies. The New Urban Agenda, for example, calls for the integration of food and nutrition security into urban and territorial planning (UN Habitat, 2016). The report could also explore the specific issues concerning food security and nutrition that cities face in situations of conflicts, natural disasters and other crises, especially where there is dependence on imported food and vulnerability to price volatility.
A more in-depth analysis of food systems is needed in the context of urbanization and rural transformation to ensure that the right to food and nutrition security, in all its six dimensions (HLPE, 2020), are met. In particular, the report could investigate the potential of territorial and informal markets, the circular economy, and shorter supply chains to strengthen the linkages between urban and peri-urban food production and consumption. The role of food environments in urban areas is particularly important, considering the coexistence of organized distribution (supermarkets) with territorial and informal markets, and the adverse impacts of supermarketization pushing out small and/or informal food retail outlets (Peyton et al. 2015). As such, parts of cities, often the poorest, have become ‘food deserts’ for fresh and healthy produce, thus affecting city diets, which are already characterised by increasing prioritization of processed and convenience food. In addition, urban centres, and especially informal settlement areas, are often characterized by lack of basic infrastructure such as access to potable water and sewages. Specific attention to water and sanitation needs is thus required in relation to food utilization in urban and peri-urban areas.
At the same time, urban and peri-urban areas are home to interesting innovations for food production, processing and distribution, such as vertical gardens, ethical purchasing groups and marketing innovations, which could be replicated in other contexts. To strengthen the role of urban and peri-urban food systems, it is essential to reflect on the architecture of food security and nutrition governance, and especially on how city councils, urban planning experts and other partners can engage with actors that are traditionally involved in food systems and food security and nutrition policies to enhance synergies. Some of the policy measures that have been recommended in recent years to enhance the role of urban and peri-urban food systems concern the promotion of equitable access to land and productive agricultural resources for small-scale producers. They also include investment in rural and urban infrastructure, the development of territorial markets and short supply chains, prioritizing people living in poverty in cities and rural areas to access nutritious food and healthier living conditions, and anticipating the inter-connected future of urbanization and rural transformation (HLPE, 2020; Heck and Alonso, 2021).
Building on the outcomes of the CFS Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Urbanization, rural transformation and implications for food security and nutrition (CFS 2017/44/6 and CFS 2016/43/11), recent literature and policy debates, the report will explore these issues and formulate policy recommendations to the attention of the CFS.
QUESTIONS TO GUIDE THE E-CONSULTATION ON THE SCOPE OF THE HLPE-FSN REPORT
The HLPE-FSN is seeking your feedback on the proposed scope of the report “Strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems to achieve food security and nutrition in the context of urbanization and rural transformation”, in particular, you are invited to:
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Share your comments on the objectives and proposed content of this report as outlined above. Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions? |
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Share good practices and successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems in the context of urbanization and rural transformation, including in the case of emergencies or conflicts. |
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Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the following questions: 1. What are the main bottlenecks hampering the contribution of urban and peri-urban food systems to food security and nutrition? 2. How can urban and peri-urban food systems be transformed and made more equitable and accessible both for food system actors and in terms of food security and nutrition outcomes? 3. How can urban food supply chains, formal and informal, local and global, be made more resilient to ensure food security and nutrition within urban settings? 4. What changes are needed in urban planning to better support all dimensions of food security – including support for human rights, agency and sustainability? Which are some of the measures that can strengthen the agency of local actors in urban and peri-urban food systems? 5. How can national and municipal governments strengthen the potential for low-carbon, inclusive, relatively self-sufficient and resilient cities and towns to drive improved food security and nutrition in the wake of climate change and other crises? 6. What are the most appropriate policies (and gaps in existing policies) along the rural-urban continuum to address issues of land tenure, urban expansion into farmland and the growing competition for natural resources? 7. How can urban and peri-urban food systems ensure that food and nutrition needs of specific groups of people, such as migrants, the internally-displaced, children, adolescent, etc., are met? 8. What are the potential benefits and challenges of territorial markets for strengthening food security and nutrition for urban populations? 9. In what ways can the incorporation of climate resilient agricultural and circular economy practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture provide climate co-benefits for all and enhance climate resilience? 10. How can citizens be engaged and empowered to drive inclusive, transparent, participatory processes for urban transformations, ensuring synergies and complementarity with city councils? 11. Which experiences of urban communities to increase access to fresh food and healthy diets can inspire broader public policies? |
The results of this consultation will be used by the HLPE-FSN to elaborate the report, which will then be made public in its V0 draft for e-consultation, and later submitted to peer review, before finalization and approval by the HLPE-FSN drafting team and the Steering Committee.
We thank in advance all the contributors for reading, commenting and providing inputs on the scope of this HLPE-FSN report. The comments are accepted in English, French and Spanish languages.
The HLPE-FSN looks forward to a rich consultation!
Évariste Nicolétis, HLPE-FSN Coordinator
Paola Termine, HLPE-FSN Programme Officer
References
Acharya, G. Cassou, E. Jaffee, S., Ludher, E.K. 2020. RICH Food, Smart City: How Building Reliable, Inclusive, Competitive, and Healthy Food Systems is Smart Policy for Urban Asia. Washington, DC, World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/35137
Battersby, J. 2017. Food system transformation in the absence of food system planning: the case of supermarket and shopping mall retail expansion in Cape Town, South Africa. Built Environment, 43(3): 417-430.
FAO. 2020. Cities and local governments at the forefront in building inclusive and resilient food systems: Key results from the FAO Survey “Urban Food Systems and COVID-19”, Revised version. Rome.
Heck, S. & Alonso, S. 2021. Resilient Cities Through Sustainable Urban and Peri-Urban Agrifood Systems. Montpellier, France, CGIAR. Resilient-Cities.pdf (storage.googleapis.com)
HLPE. 2020. Food security and nutrition: building a global narrative towards 2030. A report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security. Rome. http://www.fao.org/3/ca9731en/ca9731en.pdf
Krishnamurthy, P. K., Choularton, R. J., & Kareiva, P. 2020. Dealing with uncertainty in famine predictions: How complex events affect food security early warning skill in the Greater Horn of Africa. Global Food Security, 26: 100374.
Lal, R. 2020. Home gardening and urban agriculture for advancing food and nutritional security in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food Security, 12: 871-876. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-020-01058-3
Langemeyer, J., Madrid-López, C., Mendoza Beltrán, A. & Villalba Mendez, G. 2021. Urban agriculture — A necessary pathway towards urban resilience and global sustainability? Landscape and Urban Planning, 210: 104055. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204621000189
Moseley, W. G. 2001. Monitoring urban food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Geographical Review, 21(1): 81-90.
Pelling, M., Chow, W. T. L., Chu, E., Dawson, R., Dodman, D., Fraser, A., Hayward, B. et al. 2021. A climate resilience research renewal agenda: learning lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for urban climate resilience. Climate and Development, 0(0): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2021.1956411
Peyton, S., Moseley, W. & Battersby, J. 2015. Implications of supermarket expansion on urban food security in Cape Town, South Africa. African Geographical Review, 34(1): 36-54.
Rao, N., Narain, N., Chakraborty, S., Bhanjdeo, A. & Pattnaik, A. 2020. Destinations Matter: Social Policy and Migrant Workers in the Times of Covid. The European Journal of Development Research, 32(5): 1639–1661. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7590571/
Recine, E., Preiss, P.V., Valencia, M. et al. 2021. The Indispensable Territorial Dimension of Food Supply: A View from Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Development, 64: 282–287. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41301-021-00308-x
Rede Brasileira de Pesquisa em Soberania e Segurança Alimentar (Rede PENSSAN). 2021. VIGISAN National Survey of Food Insecurity in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil https://olheparaafome.com.br/VIGISAN_AF_National_Survey_of_Food_Insecurity.pdf
Tefft, J., Jonasova, M., Adjao, R. & Morgan, A. 2017. Food systems for an urbanizing world. Washington DC, World Bank and Rome, FAO.
UNDESA (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs). 2018. 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. New York. Cited June 2022. https://desapublications.un.org/file/615/download
UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme). 2016. The New Urban Agenda. Nairobi. https://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/NUA-English.pdf
- Read 96 contributions
Mr. Julio Prudencio
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Compartir sus comentarios sobre los objetivos y el contenido propuesto de este informe. ¿Considera que el alcance propuesto es suficientemente amplio para analizar y debatir las cuestiones fundamentales relacionadas con el papel de los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos en el logro de la seguridad alimentaria y la mejora de la nutrición? ¿Hay alguna laguna u omisión importante? El informe es importante y completo, sin embargo, me parece que hay que enfatizar en las limitaciones que tienen las áreas pobres urbanas y las áreas peri urbanas (tierra, agua, infraestructura); ya que eso delimita en gran medida a la AU |
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Compartir buenas prácticas y experiencias exitosas sobre el fortalecimiento de los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos en el contexto de la urbanización y la transformación rural, incluidos casos de emergencias o conflictos. Durante varios años he sido el Secretario Ejecutivo de la red de instituciones de Agricultura Urbana (ONGs, Universidades, FAO, Fundaciones privadas, instituciones gubernamentales, asociaciones de productores y otras) denominada AGUILA (Agricultura Urbana Investigaciones Latino Americana) habiendo logrado la constitución y funcionamiento de esta red latinoamericana por varios años. Se apoyaron proyectos de AU a través de la obtención de financiamiento de varios países, se representó a la red en diversos seminarios en Norte América, Europa, América Latina y el Caribe, e inclusive en el África. Se realizaron diversos seminarios de capacitación y formación en diversos países y se apoyaron diversas publicaciones También he trabajado durante años en programas de alimentación escolar (World Food Program) en dos regiones de Bolivia, donde se ha realizado una estrecha coordinación de planificación y ejecución con los gobiernos municipales, la industria farmacéutica; las escuelas y organizaciones de productores y asociaciones sociales urbanas y periurbanas. También se atendieron casos de emergencias climáticas (inundaciones de viviendas y comunidades, derrumbes, granizadas que destrozaron cultivos; perdida de animales, etc). |
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Compartir bibliografía, estudios de casos y datos recientes que puedan ayudar a responder a las siguientes preguntas: 1. ¿Cuáles son los principales obstáculos que dificultan la contribución de los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos a la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición? Ver hoja aparte 2. ¿Cómo se pueden transformar los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos de forma que sean más equitativos y accesibles, tanto para sus actores como en términos de los resultados en materia de seguridad alimentaria y nutrición? Ver hoja aparte 3. ¿Cómo se puede reforzar la resiliencia de las cadenas urbanas de suministro de alimentos —formales e informales, locales y mundiales— a fin de garantizar la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición en entornos urbanos? Ver hoja aparte 4. ¿Qué se debe cambiar en la planificación urbana para proporcionar mejor apoyo a todas las dimensiones de la seguridad alimentaria, incluido el apoyo a los derechos humanos, el arbitrio y la sostenibilidad? ¿Cuáles son algunas de las medidas que pueden fortalecer el arbitrio de los actores locales en los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos? Ver hoja aparte 5. ¿Cómo pueden los gobiernos nacionales y municipales fomentar ciudades y pueblos con bajas emisiones de carbono, inclusivos, relativamente autosuficientes y resilientes, a fin de impulsar la mejora de la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición a raíz del cambio climático y otras crisis? Mediante la protección y regeneración del medio ambiente, fomento de áreas verdes y disminución en el uso de combustibles (gas, gasolina). Fomentando la AU diversificada y agroecológica. Mediante la capacitación /información a la población en general, sobre el CC; y la adecuada alimentación de productos sanos y nutritivos. 6. ¿Cuáles son las políticas más apropiadas (y las lagunas en las políticas ya existentes) en zonas urbanas y rurales para abordar cuestiones relativas a la tenencia de la tierra, la expansión urbana en tierras agrícolas y la creciente competencia por los recursos naturales? Ver hoja aparte 7. ¿Cómo pueden los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos garantizar que se satisfacen las necesidades alimentarias y nutricionales de grupos específicos de personas, como migrantes, desplazados internos, niños, adolescentes, etc.? A través de la creación de comedores populares para personas vulnerables, comedores apoyados por los gobiernos municipales y la red de instituciones en AU que se deberían crear (Iglesias, ONGs, empresas privadas, etc) 8. ¿Cuáles son los posibles beneficios y desafíos de los mercados territoriales para el fortalecimiento de la seguridad alimentaria y la nutrición de las poblaciones urbanas? Ver hoja aparte 9. ¿De qué forma puede generar beneficios climáticos secundarios para todos y reforzar la resiliencia al cambio climático la incorporación de prácticas de agricultura resiliente al clima y economía circular? Mediante la producción de alimentos de forma agroecológica; combinando la producción agrícola urbana con la producción de plantas (especies frutales) y crianza de animales menores. También mediante la comercialización corta, fomentando mercados locales. Que eviten el transporte y uso intensivo de carburantes 10. ¿Cómo se puede involucrar y empoderar a la ciudadanía a fin de impulsar procesos inclusivos, transparentes y participativos para las transformaciones urbanas, velando por las sinergias y complementariedad con los ayuntamientos? Promover la participación de todas las organizaciones sociales, barriales, clubes de madres, colegios, iglesias zonales y otros, tanto en la elaboración de los planes y programas de apoyo municipal a la AU, como en su seguimiento/monitoreo; validación de resultados finales. Hacer énfasis especial en la participación de las mujeres y jóvenes a través de incentivos para la conformación de actividades de la AU a nivel familiar Intensificar la información sobre los beneficios de la AU mediante todos los medios de información (radio, TV, whatsapp, celulares, etc) 11. ¿Qué experiencias de comunidades urbanas para aumentar el acceso a alimentos frescos y dietas saludables pueden inspirar políticas públicas más amplias? Hay bastantes experiencias positivas en diferentes ciudades de América Latina y El Caribe; de las diversas actividades que comprende la AU. Por ejemplo, sobre la hidroponía, en Bogota (barrio Bolivar) y en Santiago de Chile. Sobre tratamiento de aguas, en la zona de Miraflores (Lima/Perú); y sobre la AU y comercialización corta urbana, en la Habana (Ver trabajos de la Fundación Naturaleza y el Hombre. Maria Caridad Cruz Hernández)
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En esta era de la globalización, de las pandemias, del calentamiento climático, de los conflictos armados y de la creciente urbanización, se requiere una profunda compensación y análisis actual de la relación entre los sistemas alimentarios rurales, la migración poblacional y los sistemas alimentarios urbanos y periurbanos.
Por otro lado, se requiere también un rescate de las prácticas y conocimiento sobre la Agricultura Urbana (AU) que viene desarrollándose desde hace varios años, tanto en Estados Unidos, Inglaterra y otros países desarrollados; como sobre todo en América Latina/Caribe y en menor medida en algunos países del África.
A partir de las dos perspectivas anteriores, hay que describir y analizar las interrogantes planteadas en las preguntas.
También hay que resaltar que en la Agricultura Urbana están insertas (en una gran mayoría) poblaciones de escasos ingresos económicos, y también poblaciones mayoritariamente migrantes, con otras costumbres y tradiciones, que se están asentando en zonas urbanas pobres y periurbanas (en proceso de urbanización, lo que significa nuevos asentamientos muchas veces sin caminos, sin servicios básicos como luz y agua potable, con mucha inseguridad ciudadana, y otros aspectos).
EL CONTEXTO
No todas las áreas urbanas y peri urbanas tienen disponibilidad para la producción de alimentos ya que no hay tierras disponibles (o están con suelos muy deteriorados); no hay agua para riego ni para consumo humano; no hay conocimiento sobre los alimentos y sus aportes nutritivos con posibilidades de autoproducción; y tampoco hay apoyo para producir alimentos (no tienen capital para invertir, no hay créditos, no hay infraestructura mínima, no hay información de precios y demanda, entre otros)
A eso se suma que hay que mejorar el entorno de las áreas urbanas pobres y periurbanas, ya que la mayoría de ellas están contaminadas por desechos industriales (fábricas de cemento; yacimientos de piedra caliza; curtiembres; fábricas de ladrillos, etc); por ríos subterráneos contaminados por residuos; hay acumulación de basura; carencia de caminos-infraestructura vial; el acceso a los mercados es inadecuado y no disponen de información sobre los alimentos básicos, sanos y nutritivos.
A ese contexto físico se suma un Marco legal, un marco expresado a través de las Políticas Públicas de los gobiernos municipales que tienen centradas sus acciones en construir viviendas (sin importar los Planes de Uso del Suelo); en recuperación de tierras municipales poseídas por loteadores; en flexibilizar una serie de Normativas urbanas para la captación de ingresos económicos; con los grandes vacíos de Recuperación de Medio Ambientes y de Políticas de Fomento a la Agricultura Urbana.
CONSIDERACIONES PARA LA AU
1. La Agricultura Urbana. Hay que considerar que la AU comprende las siguientes temáticas principales:
. La hidroponía, en base a una serie de nutrientes y practicada en cualquier ambiente, ha sido ampliamente desarrollada en países como Colombia, Chile, República Dominicana, produciendo una variedad amplia de alimentos, en diversas épocas y de adecuada producción.
. Los huertos atemperados, comunales, organopónicos donde se produce hortalizas, verduras, frutas, flores (Xochimilco-México) de forma orgánica, sin agroquímicos.
. Tratamiento de aguas (de forma natural y procesada) para los cultivos
. Reciclaje de residuos orgánicos, de basura orgánica biodegradable para utilizarla como abono orgánico (el compost generado por la desintegración natural)
. Crianza de animales menores (como los Cuyes-Perú; gallinas, conejos) que complementan la dieta alimentaria familiar
2. Los suelos. Por lo general, los suelos de las áreas urbanas pobres y periurbanas están deteriorados, por lo que es importante realizar trabajos de restauración de los suelos generalmente degradados (para los huertos atemperados, las carpas productivas, los cultivos en el sub suelo, etc).
3. El agua. El agua es fundamental para la AU por lo que es necesario apoyar la conservación de las fuentes de agua y de aguas superficiales, aguas de pozos, y sobre todo en el acopio de agua de lluvias, enfatizando en su sostenibilidad.
4. La capacitación a la población, en diversos aspectos que hacen a la AU, entre los que sobresalen:
. La salud (limpieza, higiene, lavarse las manos antes de comer, etc) sobre todo a las mujeres y los niños (para evitar enfermedades como las diarreas, infecciones estomacales, etc)
. Sobre los alimentos y la nutrición, mostrando qué productos son los más sanos y nutritivos; y enfatizando en el rescate de los hábitos alimenticios tradicionales; y mostrando también las desventajas de la comida rápida, de los fritos, del fast food (desnutrición, obesidad, sobrepeso).
. Capacitación y asesoramiento continuo en las técnicas de la AU (en hidroponía; en la producción en los huertos, en el tratamiento y recopilación de aguas…) enfatizando en hacer abonos orgánicos, en recopilar semillas nativas…. y mostrando también los efectos nocivos de los pesticidas.
5. Políticas Públicas. Las PP deben considerar a la AU como fuente de producción de alimentos básicos nutritivos, sanos y complementarios para la alimentación familiar en las áreas urbanas y periurbanas; y también como instrumento de capacitación de jóvenes, para la obtención de empleos (generación de empleos).
En ese sentido, las PP deben plantearse recuperar y aprovechar mejor los suelos urbanos y periurbanos para la AU; implementar PP para fomentar/apoyar la AU; con programas de capacitación; con dotación de infraestructura básica (plásticos, madera, nutrientes…); con espacios públicos destinados a esa actividad (áreas desoladas, alrededor de grandes avenidas…); con dotación de agua (distribuido por cisternas para regadíos; capacitación para el acopio de agua de lluvias, etc); y también con créditos, asistencia técnica de agrónomos, entre otros. Estas PP deben estar coordinadas e implementadas con las organizaciones sociales; con instituciones privadas, iglesias y otros a través de las redes sociales.
BENEFICIOS PARA IMPLEMENTAR LA AU
- Mayor disponibilidad de alimentos sanos y nutritivos
- Generación de empleo para jóvenes
- Incremento de la enseñanza y capacitación
- Disminución de los precios de los alimentos básicos
- Generación de espacios de comercialización corta (lo que incide en el cambio climático disminuyendo los gases de efecto invernadero)
DESAFÍOS
- Que no constituya una competencia desleal a la producción de alimentos de las familias campesinas de las áreas rurales.
- Que la gestión pública en AU, sea adecuada, con transparencia en la rendición de cuentas, con seguimiento continuo a los apoyos técnicos gubernamentales en la AU.
- Promover la amplia participación de la población, sobre todo de las mujeres y jóvenes
- Promover/difundir información sobre las ventajas de la AU a toda la población
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PERSONAS ESPECIALISTAS EN LAS TEMÁTICAS DE AU.
- Cesar H. Marulanda Tabares (Hidroponía-Colombia)
- Luis Carvajal (Hidroponía- Santo Domingo/República Dominicana)
- Julio Moscoso (Reciclaje de residuos y tratamiento de aguas-Lima/Perú)
- Pedro Juan del Rosario (Tratamiento de residuos orgánicos-Santiago de los Caballeros/ República Dominicana)
- Fundación NATURA-Ecuador (AU)
- Alejandro Fuentes/Alexandra Moncada (Recuperación espacios urbanos-Quito/Ecuador)
- Alejandro Montero/Andrés Yurjevic (Agroecología urbana- Santiago de Chile)
- Beatriz Canabal (Producción agroecológica -Xochimilco-Universidad Autónoma de México)
- María Caridad Cruz Hernández (La AU en ciudad de La Habana-Cuba)
- Mario Ahumada Arenas (Crianza de ganado menor a nivel suburbano-Santiago de Chile)
- Lilia Chauca de Zaldívar (Crianza de cuyes a nivel periurbano/Lima Perú)
BIBLIOGRAFÍA
María Caridad Cruz (2016) “Agricultura Urbana en América Latina y el Caribe. Casos concretos desde la mirada del buen vivir”. Revista Nueva Sociedad Buenos Aires
Agricultura Urbana en América Latina. Memoria seminario (Julio Prudencio B.)
The traditional use of wild Edible Plants in the pastoral and agropastoral communities of Mieso people, Eastern Ethiopia
*Growing urbanization make an attractive environment for pests such as termites, cockroaches, rodents, flies and bed bugs. Effective and innovative products along with leading expertise and equipment enable a better protection of food.
*Urban farms provide fresh food in areas where nutritious options are often scarce, while improving the environment and food security in those neighborhoods.
*Peri-urban environments are the agricultural frontier where young farmers can help others adjust to changes and new technology.
*Rural transformation by engaging the consumer as a critical part of modern agriculture.
Answer to Question A: Yes, I find the proposed scope comprehensive, and I do not see any major gaps or omissions. Perhaps it lacks an explicit mention regarding what is commented on below (Question B).
Answer to Question B: Perhaps it is obvious to mention! In my opinion, one strategy that could aid in the proposed scope can be intensity crop technics, including several types of greenhouse cropping, a large variety of hydroponic techniques, and vertical cropping. This approach has the potential to dramatically increase yields. Nevertheless, an economic assessment is required to determine its suitability. The participation of expert technicians in these crop systems is also necessary for their setup and supervision.
Dans son rapport annuel 2015, le Comité de la sécurité alimentaire mondiale, un groupe réuni sous l'égide de l'Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) des Nations Unies (ONU), « L'insécurité alimentaire et la dénutrition sont les manifestations les plus graves et les plus courantes des crises prolongées, qui perturbent à la fois les moyens de subsistance et les systèmes alimentaires.
Faim Zéro est l’Object de l'Objectif de Développement Durable (ODD) 2 des Nations Unies. Pour atteindre cet objectif ambitieux, sept cibles ont été identifiée.
En République Démocratique du Congo, près de 900.000 enfants de moins de cinq ans et plus 400.000 femmes enceintes et allaitantes souffriront probablement de malnutrition aiguë jusqu'au mois d'août 2022 pour les 70 zones de santé analysées par le groupe de travail technique sur un total de 519 zones de santé. Les provinces d'Ituri (6,1%) et du Nord-Ubangi (6,1%) ont les prévalences de l'émaciation sévère les plus élevées. En 2022, on estime à 2,8 millions le nombre de personnes souffrant de malnutrition aiguë globale, dont 1,2 million d'enfants de moins de cinq ans (HRP, 2022).
Les femmes et les enfants restent les plus vulnérables. Le contexte de crise est aggravé par l’immobilisme politique, le ralentissement de la croissance économique et les faiblesses structurelles en matière de développement.
- la population est en insécurité alimentaire ;
- la population à un accès difficile aux infrastructures et services sociaux de base de qualité ;
- les voies de communications sont délabrées et peu praticables ;
- des ménages ont une faible revenue.
The report is so important, timely and captures relevant critical issues. However, I wish this report more focus on:
1.Techncial issues like how urban agriculture should be promoted even in the case of very scarce land. I observed that the population growth particularly in East Africa jumps over many times from agriculture production supply which is double hampered with distorted/abnormal market systems; basically the market institutions are so weak.
2. Utilization of food or preventing food looses is another issue which can be promoted through awareness creation campaign/cooking demonstration. In most of African countries including Ethiopia poor utilization of food is common due to low knowledge on food management which should be provided at community level
3. food storage and practices are also the major gap which reduces the shelf life of the food. In this regard, this report should consider how innovative policy should be designed to motivate technologists/entrepreneurs to engage in production of affordable equipment for extending food shelf life
4. In most cases, in developing countries particularly in Africa, there is little incentives to attract youth skilled in agriculture education to involve in direct producers of food. I think this can save the youth to be unemployed unnecessarily. Investing knowledge in food systems in Africa remains unthinkable, it needs a vibrant and entrepreneurial leadership. There is a usual saying the current years are led by knowledge economy but my observation in East Africa, there is very narrow policy incentives that motivates youth population with low financial capacity to exercise their entrepreneurial qualities.
5. Cultural taboos should also be assessed on how they impact the food systems in urban and peri-urban
Mr. Arun Kafle
Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions?
Urban Agriculture (UA) should be viewed from economic, social and environmental dimensions to explore the benefits and impacts, including food and nutrition security. The food security and nutrition status of the people actively engaged in farming in the urban and peri-urban areas are largely governed by the income and employment opportunities of the city people. The issue of land (i.e. more profitable use) along with policy bottlenecks has been well covered in the document, but also, the issue of employment is equally important as agriculture is the major source of livelihood in developing countries. For example, in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal (a UA environment), many educated youths from rural Nepal have been doing UA practices focusing on vegetables and livestock through a short-term contractual arrangement of land that has created income and full-time employment benefits ( indirect indicators for food security and nutrition indicators). In the city areas, the local governments have a lot of unutilised public lands, and those can be utilised in UA practices like urban gardening ( for recreation) and commercial UA, including edible gardens for better social, economic and environmental benefits leading towards food and nutritional security and minimising carbon footprints, but there is a lack of regulatory framework for long-term utilisation of lands and integrating UA component in the city development plan The document raised the issue of policy incoherence which is a very good aspect for the development of UA.
Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the following questions:
The following three recent articles will be insightful ( for questions 1 to 11):
Comments to the HLPE-FSN online consultation from Benjamin Ateu, Uganda. Please find the attached file with comments to the Scope of the Report and the responses to the guiding questions below.
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A |
Share your comments on the objectives and proposed content of this report as outlined above. Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions? Response: the scope of the report is very good and how about if it also focuses on reporting an experience of the recent COVID-19, the Urban and Peri-urban food systems were over stretched to meet demand for nutritious food while at the same time they face own challenges in terms of inadequate capacity to produce caused by inadequate support. I would like the report to also focus on any successful food system that could have worked during the pandemic (this can be got from the western world and may be one from Sub-Saharan Africa) |
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Share good practices and successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems in the context of urbanization and rural transformation, including in the case of emergencies or conflicts. |
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C |
Share recent literature, case studies and data that could help answer the following questions: 1. What are the main bottlenecks hampering the contribution of urban and peri-urban food systems to food security and nutrition? Response Inadequate support (inputs) to urban farmers by government, climate change, poor road and market infrastructure, inadequate access to market information, weak or inadequate law enforcement for our case is the management of cattle in urban areas, etc. 2. How can urban and peri-urban food systems be transformed and made more equitable and accessible both for food system actors and in terms of food security and nutrition outcomes? Response: The Urban and Peri-Urban systems should be commonly known to all stakeholders and be designed in a participatory manner where by the small holder farmers are linked to the services that they need such as technical /advisory services, capital for investment, technology service providers, government should involves its tax payers money on address issues of market infrastructure, irrigation, transport network, early warning and early response, 3. How can urban food supply chains, formal and informal, local and global, be made more resilient to ensure food security and nutrition within urban settings? Response: By Documenting all supply chains, ensuring they are well coordinated and that they work together (strengthen their linkages), Government should support in addressing their underlying challenges or indirect factors such as bureaucracy, poor governance, promote transparency and accountability, government should ensure quality assurance of products or inputs for the farmers. 4. What changes are needed in urban planning to better support all dimensions of food security – including support for human rights, agency and sustainability? Which are some of the measures that can strengthen the agency of local actors in urban and peri-urban food systems? Response: Urban areas normally develop land use plans that include special allocation of some land for purpose of food production. The land use plans are good in themselves until they are abused/not followed. For example other government policies such as the Mining Policy may end up affecting a land use plan of a urban area for example a central government can displace communities for the sake of Minerals. Issues of access to nutritious food for the urban population should be made a Human rights issue. Local actors in urban and peri-urban food systems should be represented in legislative function of local authorities so that their voices are considered in decision making. 5. How can national and municipal governments strengthen the potential for low-carbon, inclusive, relatively self-sufficient and resilient cities and towns to drive improved food security and nutrition in the wake of climate change and other crises? Response: Through environment protection and regeneration, diversify sources of energy for us here the high reliance on charcoal/wood for cooking is causing a lot of cutting of trees and forests. Investment in natural gas and in the use of solar generated electricity for household use can cause an impact. 6. What are the most appropriate policies (and gaps in existing policies) along the rural-urban continuum to address issues of land tenure, urban expansion into farmland and the growing competition for natural resources? 7. How can urban and peri-urban food systems ensure that food and nutrition needs of specific groups of people, such as migrants, the internally-displaced, children, adolescent, etc., are met? Response: By having contingency plans and budgets in place in case of emergencies such as climate change or conflict. Local authorities with social workers like us are tasked with a role of having a database of vulnerable persons or households. Strengthen linkages with non-state actors such as religious bodies, social networks, engage private profit companies to get their corporate social responsibility to be triggered in case of a disaster. Etc 8. What are the potential benefits and challenges of territorial markets for strengthening food security and nutrition for urban populations? Response:
Challenges:
9. In what ways can the incorporation of climate resilient agricultural and circular economy practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture provide climate co-benefits for all and enhance climate resilience? Response: This will increase access to nutritious food for all urban population means more land is left to regenerate out there hence more carbon is naturally absorbed. More jobs are created especially for young people hence more food secure households (about 75%) of the population of Africa is comprised of young people. 10. How can citizens be engaged and empowered to drive inclusive, transparent, participatory processes for urban transformations, ensuring synergies and complementarity with city councils? Response: Promote meaningful engagement of all citizens including those with special needs in the planning and decision making of government development plans and projects. This is possible is areas such as Uganda where government has a decentralization policy where there is bottom-up planning. Address gender inequality by promoting affirmative action especially for the women and girls because majority of women and girls are affected. Promote access to information using friendly strategies that are appropriate to differently placed members of the community. Governments must strengthen their institutions to address issues of governance, transparency and accountability. 11. Which experiences of urban communities to increase access to fresh food and healthy diets can inspire broader public policies? Response: My Urban communities engage in fruits and vegetable growing along seasonal rivers near the Urban centre and this is done by small groups of households coming together to share synergies. These groups access support from NGOs and Government in form of some inputs such as seeds and hand tools such as watering cans, etc. |
A. The write-up comprehensively captured details of what ought to be discussed. However, emphasis should be made on the practices being increasingly adopted by urban dwellers who travel out of the city to markets located in rural locations where food items could be purchased at lower costs. In some places they are called farm shop usually located near primary sources of food production.
B. Enacting policies and advocacy to promote utilization of free spaces within the urban centers for intensive agriculture. Training, strong advocacy and incentives to induce urban dwellers to adopt planting in bags, pots or other containers with periodic watering, will help to provide high quality food for urban dwellers.
C. https://assets.fsnforum.fao.org/public/contributions/2023/Lwasaetal.201…
The University of Texas at Austin
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