Urban Agriculture in Southern and Eastern Africa: Policy Questions and Challenges

The literature on urban agriculture is replete with complaints on the negative treatment which the sector has received from researchers, urban managers, and policy makers alike. Urban agriculture is regarded as a new ‘eldorado’ to be grabbed and exploited by whoever gets there first. Despite revelations of the actual and perceived benefits of urban agriculture to the urban economy, most cities in the region do not have policies which vigorously support it. The view of most commentators on the issue is that certain provisions should be vital components of that policy: provide more land; make use of waste water; provide security for crops and gardens; improve technologies; initiate more demonstration projects; and provide credit, loans and extension services. A policy solution to urban agriculture will not be found in urban agriculture but by taking the debate outside urban agriculture. A policy is a statement of intent giving broad guidelines on preferred actions to achieve a desired future.