The international community set the goal “Zero Hunger” as one priority in its global commitment of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Southern Africa is the most rapidly urbanized region in the world; especially the urban informal areas are growing. Cities are emerging fast but economically highly unequal and access to enough as well as safe and healthy food remains a challenge. In this context, urban agriculture has been a popular response in contributing to income generation as well as to Food and Nutrition Security and has come into the focus of scientific research.
This research raises the question of the impact of Urban Agriculture related to Food and Nutrition Security and possible income for farmers in the disadvantaged urban communities in Cape Town and Maputo.
To tackle this question, a representative household survey with urban famers in Maputo has been conducted. In Cape Town a household survey with special focus on small scale and market garden production shows up urban agriculture activities in different townships. The results of both surveys provide a picture of differences and commonalities between the two cities.
Results show, that Urban Agriculture in Maputo is one important income source for households practicing UA, mostly by elder household members and women. Four out of five farmers indicated that agriculture is their main income source on household level. Production is mainly focused on few crops so diversity still remains weak. One major reason is to gain a quick income rather than producing own food. This is accompanied by a limited access to inputs and a weak knowledge adoption of more sustainable practices.
Compared to Cape Town, 90% of Cape Flat population are considered as food insecure, on backyard level Urban Agriculture has no impact on food security within the townships but for around 2/3 of the backyard gardeners the produce can contribute to their households (cost saving / nutrition diversity). Just few market gardeners achieve with their Urban Agriculture economic sustainability. Diversity and knowledge adaption of sustainable practices is therefore more widespread.
Even if two realities are found in both cities – a comparative analysis allows to draw up recommendations about the role of Urban Agriculture, especially applying urban adapted Good Agricultural Practices or Organic Agriculture techniques and its contributions to households welfare and to foster the scientific research in this area.
Keywords: Urban Agriculture, Food Security, Cape Town, Maputo
10a. African perspective on governance, partnership and sustainable development
