Feeding Africa's growing cities into the 21st century: the potential of urban agriculture
Binns, T.; Lynch, K.
Journal of International Development 10(6): 777-793
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-1748 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1328(1998090)10:6<777::aid-jid532>3.0.co;2-zDocument Number: 530685
It is noted that sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing more rapidly than any other part of the world and there is an escalating demand for fresh foodstuffs from the urban population. The growing of crops in and around towns and cities is frequently a widespread and long-established activity, yet a greater understanding is needed of the patterns and processes involved. From a survey of literature and detailed empirical evidence from Kano, Nigeria, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the paper presents a framework for analysing urban agriculture and proposes a number of policy recommendations which could possibly enhance its future sustainability. Information is presented on the variety of crops grown, and the areas in which crops are grown in the urban and peri-urban environment.