Gladys Mutangadura (ELP 2004) | Economics Affairs Officer, Food Security & SD, UNEC for Africa,  African Centre for Gender and Social Development, Zambia

African cities are experiencing rapid urbanization, with the urban population growth rate estimated at 3.17% in 2022 (UN-Habitat, 2022). As urban populations continue to grow, urban agriculture has become a critical component of sustainable development in these cities. It is not only a means of producing food but also a vital livelihood strategy for millions of people. Urban agriculture is practiced in various forms, ranging from small-scale backyard gardening to larger peri-urban farms. It plays a significant role in enhancing food security by providing a local source of fresh, nutritious produce and improving the resilience of urban communities to global food price fluctuations.

Beyond food production, urban agriculture also provides essential income-generating opportunities for urban dwellers, including the sale of fresh produce, livestock, and the processing of agricultural products. It offers value to women, youth, and vulnerable groups, who often face barriers to formal employment. Urban agriculture is particularly important in offering employment in cities where formal employment opportunities may be scarce. However, climate change is increasingly threatening to undermine the role of urban agriculture in ensuring food security and providing sustainable livelihoods.

Sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing an increase in extreme climate events, such as droughts, heatwaves, floods, and cyclones (UN-Habitat, 2022; Mupedziswa et al., 2017). These climate change-related events are negatively impacting agricultural productivity by reducing the availability of water, altering growing seasons, and causing extreme weather conditions that affect crop yields (Ayanlade et. al. (2022)). Unpredictable rainfall patterns, heat stress, and flooding are reducing soil moisture, increasing pest outbreaks, and shortening growing seasons, all of which have severe consequences for crop production (Chari et al., 2022). Studies have reported significant decreases in the yields of vegetable crops and rainfed crops such as millet, maize, sorghum, beans, and rice (Degefu and Kifle, 2024; Nkrumah, 2018).

Climate change also has indirect effects on households. For instance, increased illness due to climate-related factors can reduce the availability of labor, further impacting crop yields (FAO, 2015). Additionally, the storage, transport, and marketing of agricultural products are frequently disrupted by floods, storms, and other extreme weather events. In cities like Addis Ababa, floods and unpredictable rainfall have led to significant crop losses and difficulties in storing and transporting produce, which compounds food insecurity (Padgham et al., 2015). Farmers engaged in urban agriculture are often among the most vulnerable to these climate impacts, as they typically lack the financial and technical resources to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

In order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on urban agriculture, it is essential to promote climate-smart agricultural practices. These practices can help urban farmers build resilience to climate risks and ensure sustainable production. Key strategies include water-efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting to conserve water and ensure its efficient use; the use of drought-resistant crops; and soil conservation techniques such as mulching, composting, and crop rotation to improve soil health and retain moisture. Additionally, urban farmers can benefit from early warning systems, improved access to climate information, and climate adaptation training to better prepare for and respond to climate-related risks.

Governments and local authorities have a critical role to play in creating an enabling environment for urban agriculture. Key actions include integrating urban agriculture into urban planning, ensuring that farming activities align with broader goals of food security and sustainability; promoting policies that facilitate access to land, water, capital, and technology for urban farmers; and investing in research and development to develop climate-resilient farming technologies, urban farming techniques, and improved crop varieties that can withstand the impacts of climate change. These efforts will not only help safeguard food production but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable urban development and poverty reduction in the face of a changing climate.

Gladys Mutangadura is now a graduate student in the Urban Studies Program of Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Her research interests focus on urban agriculture, particularly strategies for promoting its sustainability in the context of climate change.​

References:

Ayanlade A., Oluwaranti A., Ayanlade O. S., Borderon M., Sterly H., Sakdapolrak P., Jegede M.O., Weldemariam L. F., Ayinde A. F. O., (2022), Extreme climate events in sub-Saharan Africa: A call for improving agricultural technology transfer to enhance adaptive capacity, Climate Services Vol 27, 100311.

Chari F., Ngcamu B. S., (2022) Climate change and its impact on urban agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: A literature review, Environmental & Socio-economic Studies Vol. 10 (3), 22-32.

Degefu M. A., and Kifle F., (2024) Impacts of climate variability on the vegetable production of urban farmers in the Addis Ababa metropolitan area: Nexus of climate-smart agricultural technologies, Climate Services Vol 33, 100430.

FAO, (2015), Climate change and food security: risks and responses, Rome.

Mupedziswa R, and Kubanga K.P, (2017) Climate change, urban settlements and quality of life: The case of the Southern African Development Community region, Development Southern Africa, Vol. 34, #. 2, 196–209

Nkrumah, B., 2018. Edible backyards: Climate change and urban food (in)security in Africa. Agric. Food Sec. 7 (1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0196-y.

Padgham, J., Jabbour, J., Dietrich, K., 2015. Managing change and building resilience: A multi-stressor analysis of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Africa and Asia. Urban Climate Vol. 12, 183–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2015.04.003.

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) (2022) World Cities Report 2022:  Envisaging the Future of Cities, Nairobi.

Blog cover image provided by the blog author, Gladys Mutangadura.