Perspectives and Limitations of Urban Agriculture in Transition Economies: A Case Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Challenges of population growth, urban overpopulation, climate change and declining natural resources are pushing food supply systems to their limits. Therefore, urban areas are adopting different/alternative food production and distribution systems, like urban agriculture (UA). UA uses modern/innovative technologies that shorten food supply systems, and this results in mitigating not only the financial burden of modern farming but also climate change effects. With all its implicit and explicit effects, UA offers different food sources for growing urban populations, and it could provide a way of life that is capable of responding to global challenges. Explicit effects of UA often cause misunderstanding of this concept, so UA is often seen as small-scale production, inefficient and limited, which in turn diminish the mitigating effects of UA. Misunderstanding of UA is particularly high in transitional countries, and therefore, this study in Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed to determine the level of understanding of the UA concept and people’s expectations of UA, as well as to identify factors that constrain people’s awareness of the concept and its mitigating impacts on climate change. The study mapped the existing Bosnia and Herzegovina UA value chain, and lays out perspectives for UA development and the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 crisis on people’s perceptions of UA. Finally, we offer our recommendation for all stakeholders to support the UA movement to combat global food supply challenges and help mitigate environmental issues connected with food consumption by urban populations.