Building resilient urban food systems with city councils in Zimbabwe
HARARE, 9 December 2022 – Global population growth and rapid urbanization are exacerbating the limits of urban food systems and increasing competition for natural resources. Zimbabwe is no exception. Local councils and administrations are finding it increasingly challenging to ensure urban and peri-urban populations have access to sustainable and resilient food systems. To address these challenges, cities are taking a more active role in contributing to national governments’ efforts in achieving the SDGs.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Zimbabwe has embarked on a strategic mission to partner with local urban councils through its Green Cities Initiative (GCI) to build resilient urban food systems. The City of Harare (COH) and FAO committed to achieving this objective through the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) to strengthen their partnership and boost sustainable and inclusive urban and peri urban food systems. The LOI was signed by the Mayor of Harare Jacob Mafume and Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO Representative to Zimbabwe.
“Maintaining sustainable agrifood systems with green spaces that include urban and peri-urban agriculture and forests are essential for cities, making them more resilient to the impacts of climate change and socio-economic crises. This signing ceremony is evidence of the declaration of FAO and the City of Harare’s commitment to work together in supporting the planning, design and management of green spaces and sustainable food systems in Harare,” said Patrice Talla in his remarks during the signing ceremony.
The Green Cities Initiative is a major opportunity to strengthen much-needed urban and rural linkages for COH and success rests on the active participation of stakeholders through broad and diverse partnerships. Harare becomes the second city in Zimbabwe to join the “green cities network” after Bulawayo joined the network in June 2022. The GCI focuses on improving the urban environment, strengthening urban-rural linkages and the resilience of urban systems, services and populations to external shocks.
“This initiative is one of the five critical pillars that supports urban resilience programmes we are implementing as a City. Planning and designing of urban space requires us to closely pay attention to the quality of the natural environment. FAO initiatives will positively contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and sustainable resource management,” said Mayor Jacob Mafume confirming the City’s commitment in this initiative.
Going forward, FAO will conduct an assessment of Urban –Peri urban agriculture; Urban Food Systems and Urban and Peri-urban forests for Cities of Harare and Bulawayo. This process should help the Cities and the relevant key stakeholders to identify and prioritize areas of intervention that will require support under the Green Cities Initiative.
This week, FAO and the Government of Zimbabwe signed a five year Country Programming Framework which includes strengthening of urban food systems as a one of its key priority areas of implementation for the next five years. The partnerships with Zimbabwe’s urban councils are line with FAO’s strategic thrust to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.