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Measures to Mitigate Production Risks in Urban Agriculture

Lila Karki, Prem Bhandari, Sahil Ojha, and Dipendra Gurung

Summary

Urban agriculture (UAg) seems to be a potential alternative to increase productivity to meet the ever-growing demand for fresh produce in urban settings. The growing trend of residents migrating to cities will generate demand for more fresh products. UAg has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the transportation and packaging of food, foster a green economy, reduce household food and nutrition insecurity, conserve biodiversity and ecosystems and increase hedonic value while imparting community education and neighborhood bonds. Considering the immense scope of UAg, UMES Extension implemented projects to educate small and ethnic minority immigrant populations about the potential of UAg and practices to mitigate production, financial, and marketing risks in Maryland. A snowball sampling was used to recruit project participants. Preliminary analysis of the ongoing project gathered information from 107 respondents through in-person surveys triangulated by field visits and observations. Nearly 86 percent reported an increase in vegetable production, a reduction in production costs (>83%), lower grocery bills for vegetables (>87%), an increase in knowledge and skills (100%), and motivation to continue UAg (>74%). However, only 24 percent sold their products to various market outlets, implying a need for more intervention to lower marketing risk. Demand for rainwater harvesting, compost making, and tower gardening has led to effective measures to reduce production and financial risks. Most respondents (61%) recognized that growing vegetables and fruits will reduce GHG emissions. Approximately 78 percent indicated a willingness to participate in climate-smart agricultural practices to broaden their understanding and competence to expand UAg.

Details

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