This volume attempts to dig deeper into what is currently happening in Africa's agricultural and rural sector and to convince policymakers and others that it is important to look at the current... Show moreThis volume attempts to dig deeper into what is currently happening in Africa's agricultural and rural sector and to convince policymakers and others that it is important to look at the current African rural dynamics in ways that connect metropolitan demands for food with value chain improvements and agro-food cluster innovations. It is essential to go beyond a 'development bureaucracy' and a state-based approach to rural transformation, such as the one that often dominates policy debate in African government circles, organizations like the African Union and the UN, and donor agencies. Show less
Drawing on the sustainable livelihood approach, this book explores gender dynamics in urban agriculture, which is an integral part of the diversified portfolio of livelihood strategies adopted by... Show moreDrawing on the sustainable livelihood approach, this book explores gender dynamics in urban agriculture, which is an integral part of the diversified portfolio of livelihood strategies adopted by residents of Eldoret town to cope with hard economic times. It explores the motives, needs, preferences and contributions of men and women in urban agriculture and the benefits they derived from it individually and for their households. It shows how these were mediated by social norms and gender ideologies, entitlements to farming resources, individual capabilities and personal agency. Also explored in the book are the inter-linkages between urban agriculture and other livelihood strategies and the role of gender relations in the process, as well as policy implications for sustainable and more equitable urban agriculture. Show less
Urban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa has gained momentum in recent years in terms of research and policy, as well as in practical terms. The paradox of accelerated urbanization and the increase... Show moreUrban agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa has gained momentum in recent years in terms of research and policy, as well as in practical terms. The paradox of accelerated urbanization and the increase in urban agriculture in developing countries is widely recognized. More than ever before, urban residents all over the developing world are cultivating urban plots and/or keeping animals to sustain their livelihoods. This volume looks at urban farming in the Kenyan town of Nakuru and is based on surveys and in-depth studies carried out by various researchers, including Kenyan Masters students, 1999-2002. It considers farming techniques (crops and yields, animal production and rearing systems), socioeconomic aspects of urban farming (income, food supply, employment, assistance to urban farmers) and the environmental issues involved, and there is also a chapter on school farming. Specific attention is paid to urban farming in relation to poverty, with the conclusion being that those who depend on urban agriculture the most are, in fact, benefiting the least from it. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This book, the result of a collaborative study carried out by researchers from Tanzania, Israel and the Netherlands, assesses the sustainability of urban agriculture in two medium-sized towns in... Show moreThis book, the result of a collaborative study carried out by researchers from Tanzania, Israel and the Netherlands, assesses the sustainability of urban agriculture in two medium-sized towns in Tanzania: Morogoro and Mbeya. It first gives an overview of urban agriculture in Tanzania and a description of the two towns. Then it analyses the ways in which people in Morogoro and Mbeya carry out crop cultivation and livestock keeping. This is followed by chapters on food and income, environmental issues, and employment creation, the marketing of produce, and the legal and policy setting. A concluding chapter summarizes the findings, bringing together various aspects of sustainability, and discusses local residents' views on the future of urban agriculture. The study is based on field research carried out in 2000-2001. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
