GREENER CITIES IN AFRICA - a photo on Flickriver

Africa’s urban population is growing faster than that of any other region. By the end of the current decade, 24 of the world’s 30 fastest growing cities will be African. Within 18 years, the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to reach almost 600 million, twice what it was in 2010. African cities already face enormous problems: more than half of all residents live in overcrowded slums; up to 200 million survive on less than US$2 a day; poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children.
The challenge of achieving a “zero hunger” world – in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient – is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas. African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path towards healthy, “greener” cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens.
This report draws the attention of policymakers to urban and peri-urban horticulture, and how it can help to grow greener cities in Africa. Production of fruit and vegetables in and around urban areas has a clear comparative advantage over rural and other sources in supplying urban residents with fresh, nutritious – but highly perishable – produce all year round. It generates local employment, reduces food transport costs and pollution, creates urban green belts, and recycles urban waste as a productive resource.
Drawing on surveys and case studies from 31 countries, the report describes
the current state of urban and peri-urban horticulture across the African continent. Its major finding is that the commercial production of fruit and vegetables provides livelihoods for thousands of urban Africans and food for millions more. But market gardening has grown with little official recognition, regulation or support. In some cities, it is becoming unsustainable: to maximize returns, market gardeners are using ever larger quantities of pesticide and polluted water.
Developing sustainable market gardens to serve African cities requires, first, that policymakers recognize the sector’s current contribution to the urban food supply and to urban livelihoods. Then, they will need
to zone and protect land and water for market gardens, and encourage growers to adopt eco-friendly “Save and Grow” farming practices that produce more, while reducing food contamination risks and protecting the environment. All stakeholders will
need to cooperate in building an efficient urban fruit and vegetable supply system, one that provides fresh produce at a price all residents can afford.
Growing greener cities in Africa will help us to win the “zero hunger” challenge.
Modibo T. Traoré
Assistant Director-General Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

www.fao.org/3/i3002e/i3002e.pdf

Taken on: July 3, 2019

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Sets appears in: • City Planning A Medical Design

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Camera:	Sony ILCE-7RM2
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/400)
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ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
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Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
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