Feeding the community: urban farming in Johannesburg

Abstract

With more than 40% of households in Johannesburg being food insecure, urban agriculture has the potential to significantly enhance the metropole's food security. Urban agriculture could also contribute to job creation, thereby reducing poverty. Research into the production and consumption of vegetables traditionally consumed by migrants now residing in Johannesburg shows that to fulfil this potential, urban farmers need more support since most of them are farming on infertile soils. Henrice Altink and Tim Hart write about the findings from a research project by the HSRC and its UK partners. There are more than 300 farms in Johannesburg, and new ones are sprouting up across the Metropole, including in informal settlements. This type of urban agriculture takes various forms - ranging from backyard and community gardening on land provided by churches and schools to larger-scale individually operated urban farms. It has the potential to significantly contribute to food security in the metropole in various ways.