1. Preamble
Given the rapid rate of urbanization in Asia, the importance
of efficient food supply and distribution systems (FSDSs) should be recognised
by all stakeholders as a means of adequately feeding cities and an important
determinant of food security for the urban poor.
Furthermore, the pressure put on land and water by the
urbanization process puts urban and periurban food production increasingly at
risk. This situation requires increased attention to maintain suitable land for
food production.
2. Actions by central governments
Central governments should:
- clarify the role of the various levels of government, including overcoming
their sectoral interests (agriculture, trade, environment and local government).
Recognise their interdependence with other concerned sectors and their respective
FSD role;
- ensure that legal, regulatory and policy frameworks include food control
and environmental standards[4];
- build capacity of city and local authorities (CLAs) through technical and
financial support, including providing access to and facilities for the dissemination
of information and provide means for close coordination between the various
stakeholders.
3. Actions by CLAs
CLAs should:
- formulate and implement sound urban FSD policies and programmes spanning
urban, periurban and rural areas;
- ensure that urban planning, management and policy instruments show the
importance of FSDS activities (such as reserving production areas, facilitating
water management systems, identifying land for major infrastructure and solid
waste sanitary landfill sites);
- carry out or make sure that appropriate studies and surveys are available
to obtain a better understanding of the existing functioning of FSDSs;
- ensure full participation of all stakeholders (producers, traders, transporters
and consumers) in the planning, implementation and management of FSDS activities;
- recognise the role and facilitate the operation of FSDS stakeholder organizations;
- recognise the potential for private sector involvement and financing in
the provision of FSDS infrastructure and services (such as market construction,
management, cleaning, etc.) by encouraging public and private partnerships;
- recognise the importance of the informal sector (such as street food vendors
and night markets) within FSDSs and accept the sectors social, cultural
and economic importance, particularly for the urban poor;
- establish a coordinating mechanism (focal point, committee or unit) to
comprehensively address FSDS issues, especially those affecting the urban
poor;
- ensure that management and financial autonomy and responsibility are given
to the various FSDS facility operators (such as wholesale market management
boards) especially for the maintenance of facilities;
- make provision for and enforce food safety, environmental and hygiene regulations.
4. Actions by the private sector
The private sector should:
- create appropriate stakeholder associations (street vendors, market traders,
urban producers, truckers, consumers, womens groups, etc.), chambers
of commerce and NGOs to enable an effective dialogue with government and CLAs;
- consider entering into partnerships with local authorities for facilitating
investments in required infrastructure and services for FSDSs;
- take responsibility for the environmental costs of their operations.
5. The role of international organizations and donor
agencies
International organizations and donor agencies
should:
- recognise the growing importance of FSDSs in urban areas and recognise
the systems as deserving priority support and funding;
- recognise that FSDSs are cross cutting activities that increasingly require
an inter-sectoral perspective to address food for cities and urban planning
issues;
- provide support to enhance international information diffusion and technical
assistance on good FSDS practices.
[4] Financial instruments must also be established
to support local government in fulfilling their role and responsibilities related
to FSDS development.