Geo-sustainable Practices in Urban Agriculture: A Study of Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Conservation at Household Level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56976/rjsi.v6i2.234Abstract
This study explores urban agriculture as a solution to food insecurity in Lahore, Pakistan, amid rapid urbanization and declining agricultural productivity. Using a mixed methods approach, the research assesses the current state of urban agriculture, community willingness to adopt such practices, and the factors influencing this adoption. Data was collected from households in Johar Town and Faisal Town through surveys, complemented by a literature review of global urban agriculture policies. The findings reveal limited practice of urban agriculture but significant willingness among residents, driven by factors such as self-reliance, high food prices, and health concerns. However, barriers like lack of access to land, guidance, and time hinder widespread adoption. The socio-economic profile of respondents indicates varied interest and awareness based on age, income, and household size. The study emphasizes the need for policies promoting urban agriculture, including community gardens, vertical farms, and wastewater reuse. Educational campaigns and professional training are essential to raise awareness and build skills among urban dwellers. The research concludes that urban agriculture can enhance food security and sustainability in Lahore with robust policy support and community engagement. Future research should expand the study area, use more nuanced data collection methods, and explore the economic viability of urban agriculture initiatives. Such efforts aim to advance urban agriculture practices and policies in Lahore, making the city more self-sufficient and resilient in food production.
References
Akaeze, O., & Nandwani, D. (2020). Urban agriculture in Asia to meet the food production challenges of urbanization: A review. Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Systems, 5(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/uar2.20002
Ashraf, A., Imran, M., & Shahbaz, A. (2015). Protecting Agricultural Land in Developing Countries: A Case Study from Lahore, Pakistan. International Journal of Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS, 4(1), 1181–1194. https://doi.org/10.23953/CLOUD.IJARSG.106
Datta, A., & Rajan, S. I. (2024). Internal Migration and Development in India. Indian Journal of Human Development, 2(2), 162–178. https://doi.org/10.1177/09737030241251865
De Bruin, S., Dengerink, J., & Van Vliet, J. (2021). Urbanisation as driver of food system transformation and opportunities for rural livelihoods. Food Security, 13, 781–798. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01182-8/Published
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, W. and W. (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. In The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9692en
Gashaye, D. (2020). Wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming in Ethiopia: A review on their potential contamination and health effects. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 6(1),25-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2020.1772629
Giller, K. E., Delaune, T., Vasco Silva, J., Descheemaeker, K., van de Ven, G., Schut, A. G., van Wijk, M., Hammond, J., Hochman, Z., Taulya, G., Chikowo, R., Narayanan, S., Kishore, A., Bresciani, F., Mancini Teixeira, H., Andersson, J. A., & van Ittersum, M. K. (2021). The future of farming: Who will produce our food? Food Security, 13, 1073–1099. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01184-6/Published
GoP. (2017). Final Results of Census-2017 | Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In Population Census Organization Statistics Division Government of Pakistan.
Hoornweg, D., & Munro-Faure, P. (2008). Urban Agriculture For Sustainable Poverty Alleviation and Food Security. October, 10.
Hussain, I., Raschid, L., Hanjra, M. A., Marikar, F., & Van Der Hoek, W. (2001). A Framework for Analyzing Socioeconomic, Health and Environmental Impacts of Wastewater Use in Agriculture in Developing Countries Water Management I n t e r n a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e. Retrived from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/42765620_A_Framework_for_Analysing_Socioeconomic_Health_and_Environmental_Impacts_of_Wastewater_Use_in_Agriculture_in_Developing_Countries
Hussain, I., Raschid, L., Hanjra, M. A., & Van Der Hoek, W. (n.d.). Wastewater Use in Agriculture Review of Impacts and Methodological Issues in Valuing Impacts.
Ibrahim, M., & Ahmad, N. (2023a). Quantitative evaluation and challenges confronting dedicated green spaces in cities: a case study of Peshawar, Pakistan. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2023.2265123
Ibrahim, M., & Ahmad, N. (2023b). Quantitative evaluation and challenges confronting dedicated green spaces in cities: a case study of Peshawar, Pakistan. Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2023.2265123
Jaramillo, M. F., & Restrepo, I. (2017). Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture: A Review about Its Limitations and Benefits. Sustainability, 9(10), 1734. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU9101734
Kong, D., Zhang, J., & Xiong, M. (2024). The impact of low-skilled migrants on firm productivity: Evidence from hukou reform in China. Review of Development Economics, 12(2), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/RODE.13097
Kukde, R. B., Negi, P., & Kad, V. (2024). Urban Agriculture: A New Dimension in Alternative Farming Systems for Achieving the Target of Food for All. Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation, Part F2519, 39–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51647-4_4
Ministry of National health services. (2018). National Nutrition Survey 2018: Key Finding Report. Unicef, 1–48. https://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/attachments/2018/11/20/st_20181120_vnd_4427153.pdf
Mougeot, L. J. A. (2000). Urban Agriculture: Definition, Presence, Potentials and Risks, and Policy Challenges. Cities Feeding People Series Report, 31.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2019). EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Government of Pakistan Ministry of Statistics Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Ruma, M. M., & Sheikh, A. U. (2010). Reuse of wastewater in urban farming and urban planning implications in Katsina metropolis, Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 4(1), 28–033. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST09.106
Satterthwaite, D., McGranahan, G., & Tacoli, C. (2010). Urbanization and its implications for food and farming. In Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (Vol. 365, Issue 1554, pp. 2809–2820). Royal Society. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0136
Steenkamp, J., Cilliers, E. J., Cilliers, S. S., & Lategan, L. (2021). Food for thought: Addressing urban food security risks through urban agriculture. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(3), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031267
UNDESA. (2018). The World’s Cities in 2018. World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision, 34. https://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisin
UNHabitat, P. (2023). PAKISTAN UN-HABITAT COUNTRY REPORT. www.unhabitat.org.pk
Waseem, H. Bin, & Rana, I. A. (2023). Floods in Pakistan: A state-of-the-art review. Natural Hazards Research, 3(3), 359–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nhres.2023.06.005
Zezza, A., & Tasciotti, L. (2010). Urban agriculture, poverty, and food security: Empirical evidence from a sample of developing countries. Food Policy, 35(4), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODPOL.2010.04.007
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Arhama Noor Alam, Saira Naeem
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
