The world urban population is expected to double in 30 years leading to a growing number of urban poor. The urban population expansion is more pronounced in developing countries as a result of the immigration from rural areas, and as people flock to the cities in search of food, employment and security.

Such rapid urbanization and the harsh reality of urban poverty require ad hoc strategies to ensure adequate food supply and distribution systems to address escalating level of urban food insecurity, increased malnutrition, poverty and unemployment in the urban and peri-urban environment.

Within this reality, urban and peri-urban horticulture (UPH) has become a key component of the survival strategies of poorer sections of the population in the cities. UPH is also a source of employment and income, and has the potential to improve the nutrition of disadvantaged urban residents.

A key challenge for AGP is to develop policy, strategies and technical support mechanisms ad hoc for sustainable management of UPH systems, addressing production issues, food availability - particularly of fresh produce – in cities and value chain needs within a broader framework of environmental management, water supply and utilization schemes, and food safety assurance.

Link to further information: Food for the Cities