The surging movement of developing country populations to cities and towns has prompted the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to press for the promotion of small-scale urban farming.
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The FAO says this is impeded by “lack of suitable land, uncertainty about land tenure, insufficient access to irrigation water of appropriate quality, inadequate know-how, and low investment.”
With almost all global population growth until 2030 in poor urban areas, the FAO says local production is crucial. Long distances and poor infrastructure spoil 10-30% of produce shipped to these cities and towns, and new urbanites rely on fast food: more fats, less fibre, with resulting health problems.
