Browsing by Author "Siborurema, Esperance"
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- ItemThe contribution of urban agriculture to sustainable development: potential role in improving food security and reducing poverty(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Siborurema, Esperance; Theron, F. (Francois), 1954-; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY : The current global environmental degradation, climate change as well as socio-economic changes and challenges that are reflected in various problems such as the ones associated with malnutrition and diseases have called for adequate and adapted measures to solve these unprecedented difficulties. This global burden is being driven mainly by increasing global urbanisation and the pursuit of economic growth and globalisation. Due to this dilemma, the developing world suffers most because it does not have the means and measures in place to combat uncertainties, let alone food insecurity, that are aggravated by conflicts, especially on the African continent. The implication of expanding urbanisation is the increased reliance on buying instead of producing food, leading to various complications, such as deteriorating health, making it ultimately more difficult for governments to deal with. South Africa already has an unemployment rate of over 26%, with more than 60% of the population living in urban areas. Access to food is mostly through retail stores, which increases the burden on the urban poor, who are highly dependent on the prices of the food purchased, leading to the consequences of consuming affordable unhealthy food and increased food insecurity, such as stunted children in poor urban households. While striving to achieve sustainability is increasingly gaining a place at the core of developmental strategies, finding solutions to problems related to global food insecurity is crucial and this is reflected in the first two United Nations (UN) goals of sustainable development. In the search for adequate alternative means to produce enough quality, accessible and affordable food, urban agriculture is gaining popularity as the most promising means. Urban agriculture, which can be defined as the production of food in and around cities, is being explored as one of the sources of supply in urban food systems. It is claimed to be the key to not only achieving the first three UN goals of sustainable development, especially in growing cities, but also one of the many options to make productive use of urban open spaces because it recovers and/or treats urban liquid and solid waste. Further, it is also claimed to generate employment, save income, and manage freshwater resources in an effective way. Despite all of these claims, and increasing practices across the globe with adaptations and innovative means, this sector is still criticised for not producing enough empirical evidence. The main aim of this research is to explore and discuss critically those aspects and current trends of urban agriculture in relation to food security and poverty alleviation among the urban poor as a step towards sustainable development. This discussion will help to raise awareness and distribute information about the crucial impact of urban agriculture in the provision of food, income and employment, further discussing the sustainability of this achievement as well as possible gaps and potential recommendations in this area. The information gathered will provide support to policymaking processes as well as the implementation of urban agriculture.