PROGRAMME AREA:
URBAN AND PERI-URBAN HORTICULTURE (UPH)

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE:
Intensification of urban and peri-urban horticulture production systems to secure year-round supply of fresh horticultural produce to the urban population as a component of FAO's interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programme on Food for the Cities (*).

Today almost 50% of the world population have gathered to live in urban areas. The urbanisation trend is expected to continue and even to accentuate especially in Africa and Asia. This phenomenon has given birth to an increased demand for fresh fruits and vegetables which is to be met by new production areas combined with more intensified crop management in order to raise the productivity per unit of land and water. It has also been fore that the uncontrolled growth of the cities will lead to poverty and malnutrition for more than 600 million people by the year 2025.

Horticulture within and around the cities is already a preferred activity for many of the unskilled migrants. Individual households are gardening on small plots, roadsides, terraces and patios both to feed the family and also to sell through street vendors.

City farmers have developed small and medium size market gardens specialising in the production of vegetables, fruits and root crops for sale on city markets. This activity is becoming more and more popular as it provides employment and income for women and young farmers. However, in most cases, city farming initiatives lack supervision and guidance and are expanding in a haphazard fashion and with farmers squatting on any available piece of land. Moreover the uncontrolled use of agro-chemicals and doubtful irrigation water have on several occasions lead to public health problems. Consequently, urban and peri-urban agriculture is considered as a high-risk activity. Recognising the important role of UPH as a contribution to improved food security, nutrition and livelihood (jobs and income) it is essential and urgent that "adequate" steps be taken to safeguard UPH and to ensure its orderly and "safe" development for the benefit of the population and the environment.

(*) PAIA: Programme Area for Interdisciplinary Action

FAO UPH Activities and Projects in Latin American Countries