Urban Food Production Technologies, Innovations and Management Practices in Africa

Abstract

With the world population estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, of which 68% are expected to live in urban areas, there is an urgent need to reorganise the food system for urban areas. The COVID-19 pandemic lay bare the vulnerabilities in the current food systems, clearly showing their inabilities to cope with shocks and extreme events. The urban poor, living in informal settlements, are at the greatest risk of malnutrition as well as extreme heat due to the urban heat island phenomenon. Urban food production has immense potential to alleviate the problems of food insecurity and malnutrition but is hindered by various challenges including lack of time, space and expertise. In some cases, regulations imposed by urban authorities may impede urban food production. Technologies and innovations such as vertical farming systems including green walls and rooftop farming with the use of containers and soilless substrates can overcome the challenge of lack of space. Water shortage challenge can be overcome through use of water saving technologies such as hydroponic systems, capillary wick irrigation and wicking bed gardens. Technologies and innovations such as mushroom cultivation, microgreens and sprouts, aquaponics, cuniculture (rabbit rearing) and insect rearing have potential to provide nutrient dense foods rich in protein and other vital nutrients to the urban dwellers. Several of these technologies can utilise waste streams generated in the urban areas, thereby contributing to waste management in the urban areas. Several cities around the world have recognised the critical role that urban farming can play in dealing with various challenges in urban areas and have begun initiatives to promote urban farming. For instance, widespread growing of edible plants and vegetables in urban areas can be found in Europe, Japan, China, South Korea and the USA. In Japan, the Pasona Urban Farm owned by Pasona Group demonstrates the feasibility of urban food production. Urban farming should be integrated in the African food system to address the urban food insecurity. Initiatives to create awareness about technologies available for farming in the urban areas should be enhanced. Capacity building should be undertaken to produce a generation of agricultural practitioners that recognise and appreciate urban farming. Research should be conducted to optimise the various technologies and customise them to suit different situations. Policy makers should recognise and appreciate the importance of urban farming and develop friendly policies to enhance adoption for food and nutrition security with minimum environmental impacts.