Does urban agriculture contribute to food security, and how might this be achieved?
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Urban agriculture offers a modest but positive impact on food security by improving access to fresh produce for food-insecure households. Government support and investment are crucial to maximize urban farming
Area Of Science
- Food Systems and Security
- Urban Planning and Public Health
- Sustainable Agriculture
Background
- Food system challenges create inequalities in accessing healthy food, threatening food security.
- Food insecurity is linked to adverse health outcomes and requires urgent attention.
- Urban agriculture is proposed as a solution for food system transformation, but its impact on food security remains uncertain.
Purpose Of The Study
- To review international evidence on the impact of urban agriculture on household and national food security.
- To assess the effectiveness of urban agriculture in addressing food insecurity.
Main Methods
- A narrative review of previously published international research.
- Synthesis of existing studies on urban agriculture and food security.
Main Results
- Evidence suggests urban agriculture contributes positively, though modestly, to food security.
- Urban agriculture enhances the availability and accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables for food-insecure populations.
- Findings on the overall impact are mixed, indicating a need for further research.
Conclusions
- Government investment and support are essential to leverage urban agriculture's potential for food security.
- Strategies include increasing land access for urban farming, reducing resource costs, and fostering community collaboration.
- Future research should focus on strengthening the evidence base for urban agriculture's role in food security.
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