Revitalising urban agriculture

Jan 25, 2015 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

---

By Neilson McKenzie
Significant public policy shifts highlighting the need for a resurgence of urban and peri-urban agriculture, have, in Latin America and some countries of the Caribbean facilitated the move towards “greener cities” and “urban green parks” and has also given traction to the “green economy.”
The socio-economic and other pertinent benefits of promoting Urban Agriculture and in the case of Guyana, revisiting that programme, cannot be over-emphasised.
In Guyana, we will definitely have to fashion our urban development strategies to focus on more holistic programmes, inclusive of Urban Agriculture, to foster more equitable growth and sustainability.
Innovative and novel approaches will be required if urban agriculture is to regain its prominence and realise its potential for radical social transformation of Urban communities.
WHY URBAN AGRICULTURE?
An efficiently managed urban Agriculture programme will:
1. Improve household income and family nutrition and guarantee progress towards food security. Guarantee income generation through the sale of produce, increase disposable income through non-purchase of certain food items, improvement in food quality through the use of fresh home-grown food and ensure guaranteed food supply.
2. Create opportunities for capacity building through innovative programs, re: sharing of scientific knowledge garnered from training programs and services organised by Ministry of Agriculture, IICA (Inter America Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture), and Partners of the Americas, among other institutions. This would encourage the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and increase individual planning and management capability.
3.  Promote the remodelling of urban communities through the construction of nature gardens, play parks and recreation zones. This will augur well for the enhancement of community relations – improve property values and foster an environment conducive to the pursuit of positive values and behaviours. The introduction of floriculture and landscaping exposure and training in urban communities offer new awareness of economic reward alongside environmental beautification and management.
4.  Serve to stimulate interest among women and youth promoting greater self-esteem and the restoration of sound family values. In the AFC Action Plan for Guyana there are twelve interconnected foundations for development. Foundation 5: Our Youth. Our Future states “the AFC’s political , economic and social evolution shall be focused on developing programmes that will provide opportunities to build character, values, self-esteem, employability and reduce risk factors such as crime, drug abuse , alcoholism , teen pregnancy, suicide, violence and illiteracy.”
There must be deliberate policies geared at developing “entry points” for youth participation in policy making around agriculture and food security.
Specific emphasis must be placed on the identification, training and promotion of women, particularly given our single parent household reality. These interventions will significantly impact on addressing the issue of gender inequality. Foundation 6: Gender Equality: Our Women, Our Foundation states…”the AFC intends to introduce policies to encourage the rebuilding of Guyana’s family structure, the sharing of caring tasks between parents as well as mentoring and supporting Guyana’s children”.
5.  Help the most vulnerable households and deprived communities transition into sustainable economic ventures. This will encourage more community-driven activities, stimulating positive behaviours, the reduction of social conflict and the development of platforms for personal and communal progress.
The reduction in dependence on imported foods and the new reliance on locally produced, more nutritious items will further establish the urban communities and national food and nutrition security. This will truly be a ‘game changer.’
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
However to effectively garner all the economic and social benefits that can be derived from a full revitalisation of Urban Agriculture there must be meaningful and sustained interventions by the relevant state agencies, namely the Ministries of Education, Health & Agriculture, GWI, GPL as well as the privately-owned GT&T. These agencies must optimise their services to ensure reliability and affordability where it matters.
The availability of continuous technical support from the relevant Ministries and the reliable supply of water and electricity will be pivotal components of this new urban Agriculture strategy. Alongside these will have to be more than just a ‘clean up Guyana’ plan. A decisive programme of rehabilitation of the internal drainage network of urban communities coupled with an external sluice/outfall desilting set of activities will serve to significantly reduce urban flooding which, if unchecked, will serve as a serious deterrent to successful urban agriculture.
As the new year unfolds, the potential for the revitalisation of Urban Agriculture in Guyana must be explored. This will be a real Health Wealth and Nutrition fillip to these communities and make them greener and cleaner.

---

---