Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) plays a crucial role in providing food for city populations, especially the poor. As the rate of urbanization increases in developing countries, its importance will grow. Under FAO's multisectoral programme on "Food for the Cities", AGPC helps identify opportunities for the intensification of urban and peri-urban production systems. It is also assisting in development of innovative technologies - e.g. micro-gardens - matching specific environmental conditions, and of guidelines and training materials for Integrated Production and Protection Management.
AGPC has contributed to publications on horticulture and micro-garden technology, and held consultations on urban horticulture for Southern African countries and on organic/green food production in urban and peri-urban areas of Southeast Asia. A UPA training video has been produced in French, and a paper on "Fodder production for peri-urban dairies in Pakistan" has been prepared for the Grassland website.
The Service also assists in establishing national UPA strategies and developing UPA projects. Small-scale initiatives for farmer groups are being assisted through the TeleFood programme.
| | |
|
Themes
Urban/peri-urban
