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Production systems - UPA

Urban and peri urban agriculture (UPA) contributes to food availability, particularly of fresh produce, provides employment and income and can contribute to the food security and nutrition of urban dwellers . It encompasses a complex and diverse mix of food production activities, including fisheries and forestry, in many cities in both developed and developing countries. It contributes to food availability (particularly of fresh produce), provides employment and income and can contribute to the food security and nutrition of urban dwellers.

FAO has established expertise and capacity in providing technical support and policy advice to municipalities in this area. Key issues include: the health and sanitary implications of UPA; the land use dynamics caused by the encroachment of urban areas into agricultural areas; the interdependencies between rural and UPA; the credit and other input constraints of poor urban and periurban farmers; integrated crop and animal production systems; the involvement of women in UPA; and the associated requirements for marketing and distribution.

Selected documents

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