Urban agriculture in South Africa: Policy issues from the international experience

Abstract

Recently, an increase has been observed in the practices of urban food gardening and the cultivation of vacant land on the peripheries of South Africa's metropolitan areas. In this paper it is argued that urban agriculture represents an issue of considerable importance for South African policy makers. A review is undertaken of research on informal agriculture in Asian and African cities. On the basis of this International review certain suggestions are offered for policy debates and research in South Africa.

Notes

An earlier version of this paper was prepared for The Urban Foundation. Johannesburg, to whom thanks are extended. Financial assistance of the Centre for Science Development towards the extension and completion of this research is also acknowledged. Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author.

Department of Geography, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg.