Profitability and sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture

 Urban agriculture (UA) is a dynamic concept that comprises a variety of livelihood systems
ranging from subsistence production and processing at the household level to more
commercialized agriculture. It takes place in different locations and under varying socioeconomic conditions and political regimes. The diversity of UA is one of its main attributes, as it can be adapted to a wide range of urban situations and to the needs of diverse stakeholders. UA or urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) as it is referred to in this paper, can make important contributions to social, economic and ecological objectives of sustainable urban development (SUD).

UA is increasing in cities in developed countries as well as in developing countries,
and the number of cities revising existing policies or formulating new policies and action
programmes on UA is growing rapidly (van Veenhuizen, 2006). However, many urban farmers
around the world operate without formal recognition of their main livelihood activity and
lack the structural support of proper municipal policies and legislation. Appropriate policies
and regulations are required to enhance the potential of agriculture in cities and mitigate its
potential risks. The challenge is for UPA to become part of SUD and to be valued as a social,
economic and environmental benefit rather than a liability.

To support this development, an overview is provided of the role and importance of UPA
on the basis of three studies. In 2002, two assessments of the profitability and sustainability
of urban farming were undertaken for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations’ (FAO) Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division ( AGS), by the International
Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Ghana Office) and the French Agricultural Research
Centre for International Development (CIRAD). These studies were carried out in selected
urban and peri-urban sites in Ghana, West Africa (Gyiele et al., 2002) and in Thailand, Asia
(Vagneron et al., 2002). The studies attempted to contribute to a greater understanding of
issues and opportunities characterizing intra-urban and peri-urban farming from a long-term
perspective. In a third study, Danso et al. (2003) sought to identify and typify urban farming
systems (UFSs) and discuss indicators to measure and assess profitability and sustainability of urban farming, with a focus on Africa.