Study finds urbanisation not always bad for food, land use diversity
Urbanization and agrobiodiversity: Leveraging a key nexus for sustainable development
Karl S.Zimmerer1Chris S.Duvall, Edward C.Jaenicke, Leia M.Minaker, ThomasReardon, Karen C.Seto
ANI
Jan 5, 2022
Excerpt:
According to the researchers, some U.S. metropolitan areas could become locally self-sufficient in eggs and milk, but only 12 per cent and 16 per cent in fruits and vegetables, respectively. However, in Hanoi, Vietnam, urban and peri-urban agriculture provides 62 per cent to 83 per cent of vegetables and significant levels of pork and fish. Within a city, and peri-urban area gardens and farms of all sizes, whether they are public or private, rooftop or pocket, add to the diversity of food available to residents.
“Most urbanisation in coming decades will be based in Africa,” said Zimmerer.
“Asian cities have already grown, but increases will be much higher in Africa. The interesting thing is Africa will be dotted with large, peri-urban, and urban spaces with small farms and gardens. Nutrition and food security will be paramount,” he added.
Because not all food in a city can come from the city or its surroundings, supply chains are very important. These supply chains are local, national and international.
“Food security in the U.S. is higher when we have supply chains that are more geographically diverse,” said Zimmerer.
