Kathmandu: A comprehensive study led by Dr Prajal Pradhan from the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, along with nine other scholars, has provided an extensive insight and evaluation of how urban agriculture impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The research report Urban Agriculture Matters for Sustainable Development published in the journal Cells Report Sustainability has systematically reviewed approximately 1,450 publications from a pool of 76,000, according to the research team.
“The research explores the multifaceted contributions of urban agriculture to achieving the SDGs, revealing both positive and negative effects.”
“Urban agriculture can contribute to sustainable development. However, a holistic investigation is lacking to comprehend its positive and negative impacts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” states the report.
The study also found that urban agriculture is deeply intertwined with all 17 SDGs, positively influencing 81 targets and adversely impacting 51.
Dr Prajal Pradhan highlighted the dual nature of urban agriculture, stating, “Urban agriculture offers immense potential for sustainable development, but realizing this potential depends crucially on adopting practices that minimize its adverse effects while maximizing its benefits. Insights on the dual nature of urban agriculture resonate strongly with the aims of the Summit of the Future 2024. “
The research identified major challenges, such as potential health risks from contamination and the substantial resource demands of urban farming practices. Daya Raj Sudebi, Lecturer at Midwest University (Nepal) and PhD Candidate at Beijing Forestry University (China), emphasized the need for equitable access and rigorous management of environmental risks to maximize urban agriculture’s contributions to sustainable development.
Urban agriculture is vital for enhancing urban food security, providing employment, and delivering diverse ecosystem services, contributing to global food production and employing urban populations. Yuanchao Hu, Associate Research Professor at Wuhan University (China) and a Visiting Researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, noted, “Urban agriculture plays a definitive role in advancing the SDGs, but achieving this requires tailored, context-specific solutions that address the unique challenges of different regions.”
The study calls for the adoption of sustainable practices that enhance the positive impacts of urban agriculture and mitigate its negative effects, thereby ensuring its role in fostering a resilient urban future. Dr. Prajal Pradhan added, “Our research synthesizes available scientific literature to underscore the dual impact of urban agriculture on sustainability. This systematic evidence synthesis provides robust evidence of how urban agriculture contributes to overall sustainability by providing food, education, and social spaces, and supporting biodiversity.”
Furthermore, urban agriculture significantly enhances food security by producing fresh, nutritious food locally, reducing dependency on external food sources, and minimizing food miles. It also promotes social inclusion and psychological well-being.
Daya Raj Sudeb further stated, “A crucial finding is the identification of opportunities and challenges associated with urban agriculture in terms of sustainability. People, organizations, and governments can promote urban agriculture for sustainable transformation based on these opportunities. However, addressing the challenges, such as by implementing adequate urban agriculture practices, is essential.”
The follow-up research will aim to identify location-specific urban agriculture practices that optimize sustainability, according to Yuanchao Hu, ensuring that urban agriculture remains a viable solution for cities globally in their pursuit of the SDGs.
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