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Food security in Southern African cities

Author

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  • Jonathan Crush

    (Department of Global Development Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 and Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town)

  • Alice Hovorka

    (Department of Geography, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario)

  • Daniel Tevera

    (Department of Geography, Environmental Science and Planning, University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland)

Abstract

Several decades of research on ‘urban agriculture’ have led to markedly different conclusions about the actual and potential role of household food production in African cities. In the context of rapid urbanization, urban agriculture is, once again, being advocated as a means to mitigate the growing food insecurity of the urban poor. This article examines the contemporary importance of household food production in poor urban communities in 11 different Southern African Development Community (SADC) cities. It shows that urban food production is not particularly significant in most communities and that many more households rely on supermarkets and the informal sector to access food. Even fewer households derive income from the sale of produce. This picture varies considerably, however, from city to city, for reasons that require further research and explanation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Crush & Alice Hovorka & Daniel Tevera, 2011. "Food security in Southern African cities," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 11(4), pages 285-305, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:11:y:2011:i:4:p:285-305
    DOI: 10.1177/146499341001100402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tibesigwa, Byela & Visser, Martine, 2016. "Assessing Gender Inequality in Food Security among Small-holder Farm Households in urban and rural South Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 33-49.
    2. Poulsen, Melissa N. & McNab, Philip R. & Clayton, Megan L. & Neff, Roni A., 2015. "A systematic review of urban agriculture and food security impacts in low-income countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 131-146.
    3. Chakona, Gamuchirai & Shackleton, Charlie M., 2019. "Food insecurity in South Africa: To what extent can social grants and consumption of wild foods eradicate hunger?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 87-94.
    4. Allen, James E., 2018. "Are agricultural markets more developed around cities? Testing for urban heterogeneity in separability in Tanzania," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 199-212.

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