Enhancing Urban Farming for Sustainable Development Through Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

This chapter discusses how enhanced urban farming can be a strategy for sustainable development by localising the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Many urban households in Gweru urban in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe live in high levels of poverty, extreme hunger and malnourishment, hence the need for sustainable development. This study sought to unpack the role of urban farming as a strategy to achieve sustainable development through the SDGs; analyse the prospects of urban farming to urban households’ welfare; and discuss the challenges encountered by urban households in achieving sustainable development and domesticating the SDGs through urban farming. This qualitative research was based on a purposive sample of 30 participants, with data gathered through interviews and on-site observations from 2018 to 2019. Findings show that urban farming was an option towards achieving sustainable development and domesticating the SDGs. Also, urban farming has the potential to reduce poverty and hunger and can contribute to good health and wellbeing of households. Furthermore, urban households encountered challenges such as shortage of farming land, lack of farming inputs (crop seed, fertiliser and pesticide), lack of extension services and lack of supportive policies in their urban farming endeavours. The study concluded that urban farming can either reduce or escalate poverty and hunger. Hence, the practice should be supported by stakeholders, including local authorities to achieve sustainable development and domesticate the SDGs. The study has the potential to assist the policymakers with information for better policy formulation and implementation. This study recommends the assistance to urban farmers in the form of improved access to farming land, inputs and skills capacitating to enhance the practice.