Multistakeholder Policy Formulation and Action Planning for Urban Agriculture in Lima, Peru

Multistakeholder processes are increasingly consid­ered to be an important element of policy design, action planning, and implementation. By involving a broad base of stakeholders, municipal authorities are more likely to develop policies and programs that will meet the needs of both the municipality and its constituents, and are thus more inclusive and successful in their implementation. Because of its multisectoral character, with impacts on land use planning, health, food security, and economic development, among others, urban agriculture development calls for the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including individuals, and groups and organizations from both nongovernmental as well as governmental sectors. In doing so, requirements for setting up and managing successful multistakeholder processes, including sufficient financial resources, time, training, and creating mutual trust, have to be taken into account. This article will illustrate the multistakeholder process taken and lessons learned by the district of Villa María del Triunfo in Lima, Peru. It shows how such processes can result in urban agriculture becoming institutionalized, while at the same time providing concrete benefits for urban producers (such as enhanced food security and employment) and the city as a whole. Linking project implementation to policy formulation, including urban agriculture in land use planning, providing it with an institutional home, and regular monitoring and empowerment of urban farmer organizations prove to be key elements to ensure the sustainability and consolidation of an urban agriculture policy and program beyond the period of a given political administration and to plan for its future up-scaling.