Edible backyards: Climate change and urban food (in)security in Africa

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is continuously seen as a major problem in Africa, and as a challenge confronting millions of Africa's urban population. Although some city residents produce their own food and, therefore, are food secured, others continuously find it difficult to access arable land in order to keep animals or cultivate crops. Climate change, in addition, seems to worsen the food insecurity situation of the region's urban population, especially in the face of drought and flooding waters. To this end, this study recommends that urban agriculture (UA) is well positioned to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change and improve food security. Results: The study found that the current problem posed by climate change to Africa's urban food security is expected to worsen. Many urban populations are at risk of becoming victims of climate change through severe food supply problems caused by floods, droughts and hailstorms that affect food production in the hinterlands. African urban population has a role to play in finding appropriate solution to sustain food security, especially through UA. Conclusion: The study concludes that African governments should endeavour to create the necessary conducive environment to encourage urban residents to engage in animal husbandry and food production.

Original languageEnglish
Article number45
JournalAgriculture and Food Security
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jul 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptation
  • Africa
  • Climate change
  • UA
  • Vulnerability

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Edible backyards: Climate change and urban food (in)security in Africa'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this