Urban Agriculture in Naga City

Cultivating Sustainable Livelihoods

Planning Report for Naga City Council

June 2007

Authors:
Kathryn Hill, Department of Geography, UBC
Dee Dee Quinnelly, School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC
Kaitlin Kazmierowski, School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC
PREFACE

The report you are about to read was governance nexus. Hence, the course was
written by MA-level graduate students and designed to be experiential, dialogic,
submitted to the Naga City Government interactive, and community-based. It was
and relevant stakeholder groups to structured as a mutual learning experiment
partially fulfill the requirements in PLAN for students and the Naga City planners,
548H – Planning Studio Course in officials, and residents.
Participatory Planning and Governance.
This was a graduate program course Thus, the course general learning
offered at the School of Community and objectives for the twenty Canadian and
Regional Planning (SCARP) at the University international graduate students were to:
of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, • Understand and appreciate the real
Canada and conducted in the summer of world of planning challenges in a
2007 in Naga City. The course offering was developing country;
a first in many ways. It was the first field • Provide meaningful inputs to Naga
studio course at SCARP offered in the City planning processes and
Philippines. The course description, outline implementation plans;
and schedule of activities were developed • Create a new generation of
with Naga City Planning Division, other City planners who bring in their
officials, and the Ateneo de Naga Centre thoughtful analytical skills into
for Local Governance. It also benefited creative and practical solutions.
from students’ feedback and assessment of • Bring lessons from Naga City and
initial interests. The topics of the final the Philippines as a whole to
group report assignments were decided places, sites and cultures in their
after the first class meeting with Naga City future planning work.
Mayor, Hon. Jesse Robredo, who outlined More specifically, the students were
his City’s strategic planning priorities and expected to be able to:
his hopes of what the UBC students can do • Provide sustainable, low-cost and
as he puts it, in helping “reinvent City effective recommendations to
governance.” promote good change in Naga City;
• Demonstrate and apply their
Why a Studio Course in Participatory interdisciplinary planning skills in
Planning and Governance? local governance issues;
Professional planners-in-training need • Write thoughtful and well-
exposure and experience in the challenges researched planning reports that
that face many developing countries. The Naga City officials and staff, as well
transnational flows of people, ideas, as community groups, can use in
services, movements and goods around the their current and future work.
world make those challenges almost
universal in character, if not in dimension Why a Studio Course in Naga City?
and scale. Planning is inextricably and Naga is a mid-size city of 150,000 residents
organically linked with governance. in Bicol region, central Philippines. It is
Planning practices depend much on internationally and nationally renowned as
political institutions, guiding policies, among the “best practices” in good local
procedural rules and programs that are governance in the Philippines and in the
shaped by governance practices and developing world. Naga City has maximized
cultures. A studio course design optimizes the opportunities for governance reform,
the learning and teaching of lessons local capacity building, and improved
derived from the real world of planning- delivery of basic services created by
political decentralization under the Local some variations and diversity in their final
Government Code. Since 1988, Naga City outputs. The research and writing that
has been creating and implementing went in the preparation of these reports
various mechanisms to involve local spanned only a period of three weeks, from
organized groups, particularly from the May 17 to June 7. More time and more
marginalized sectors of society, in consultations would have greatly improved
governing the city. Its City Government the quantity and quality of our data and
has been working closely with highly analysis. We did the best that we can
functional People’s Council and various under the limited circumstances, and we
other Councils, Committees, Special apologize for any mistakes, gaps in
Bodies, and Task Forces to deal with local analysis, and oversights that our reports
governance issues – from social housing for may have. We provide our insights and
the poor to creating sustainable social recommendations without any strings
enterprises, from addressing school board attaches or expectation that they will be
governance to using new information adopted by the City
communication technologies in creating
Without pre-empting the acknowledgment
closer relations between the people and
of each of the reports, I join my students
the city government. This long history of
in thanking the Naga City Government,
public engagement and capable leadership
particularly its Planning Division Director
continuity make Naga City an ideal and
Wilfredo Prilles, Jr. and his Staff; Mayor
productive laboratory for examining the
Jesse Robredo; the Directors and Staff of
promises and challenges of democratizing
the City Agriculture, City Environment and
planning in a rapidly growing and complex
Natural Resources, City Engineers, City
city environment.
Health, City Tourism and City Social
Welfare and Development Offices, the
Caveats and Constraints
Local School Board members; the City
The following is one of six Planning Reports
Division of the Department of Education,
submitted to the City Government. The six
the City Investment Board, and the Naga
reports are:
City People’s Council. We thank all our
(1) Quality Universal Public Education
guest speakers, guides and key informants
(2) Youth Development Planning
from the above Offices; Dr Danny Gerona
(3) Urban Agriculture
and Atty Sol Santos; Mr George Abonal,
(4) Investment Promotion
Principal of Ateneo de Naga High School; Fr
(5) Transportation, and
Joel Tabora SJ, President of Ateneo de
(6) Social Housing for the Urban Poor
Naga University; ADNU Head Librarian Edna
Each of these reports were developed in
and Dr Malu Barcillano, her Staff and
close consultation with the course
student volunteers at Ateneo Centre for
instructor and the relevant City Officials,
Local Governance; the municipal and
as the students went about framing their
barangay officials of Pamplona, Camarines
research questions, identifying their data
Sur; and the staff of the Naga City Youth
needs, doing interviews, leading focus
Centre. We thank all Naga residents for the
groups, collecting and analyzing data, and
warm hospitality, generosity and
writing the final drafts that served as bases
enthusiasm they showed us. Dios mabalos
of the students’ public presentations to the
po, at mabuhay kayong lahat sa Naga!
City on June 6 and 7. As there are some
groups that have more members than Leonora C. Angeles
others, and as each of the groups went Associate Professor
about developing its own methodological School of Community and Regional Planning
and analytical frameworks suited to their University of British Columbia
topics, it is expected that there will be Naga City, Philippines, June 7, 2007
Executive Summary

Urban agriculture (UA) is increasingly becoming recognized as a sustainable, holistic and

empowering means for achieving food security and aiding in poverty alleviation. Though
broadly defined as any form of agriculture taking place in urban and peri-urban areas, UA is
rooted in environmentally sound practices, social justice, strong local economies and citizen
empowerment.

Naga City currently sits in an interesting position with regards to local UA practices. Despite
being enclosed by rich agricultural lands, encroaching development and social stigmatization
of farmers pose serious threats to the future of local agriculture in the city. Local UA
initiatives, while present in peri-urban areas are less visible within the city itself. This
invisibility has often resulted in exclusion of small-scale UA practices from the public and
political consciousness.

This project was aimed at understanding how UA could be developed and promoted in Naga
City, as a viable livelihood option to enhance agricultural productivity and conserve lands
critical for sustainable food security.

Mixed-method qualitative research led to the realization that Naga City possesses great
potential to serve as a showcase city for innovative UA practices, simply by capitalizing on its
current assets. Through greater collaboration with various stakeholders (farmers, citizens,
students and community groups), city officials can undertake socio-economic and
environmental assessments, listen to local recommendations and create enabling legislation
that will not only increase UA lands in Naga, but actively conserve current agricultural lands
under threat, promote alternative livelihoods, strengthen local economies and educate and
empower all citizens. Building upon the city’s solid political and agricultural foundations, UA
has the potential to flourish within Naga’s urban and peri-urban landscape if informed by
collaborative multi-stakeholder processes and participatory policy creation.

Acknowledgements

This project would not have come together without the dedication, assistance and generosity
of Willy Prilles and the Naga City Planning Office. We must also extend a huge thank you to
the City Agriculture Office and especially Dr. Marissa Arroyo Galapa for her extraordinary
support. You allowed our team to experience some truly wonderful moments. In addition, we
would like to thank all the people who shared their time, expertise and tables with us; all the
farmers, city departments, the RIC, the women’s league, market vendors, barangay captains,
entrepreneurs, and Jenny and Earl. Thank you for your kindness and unending generosity.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge the super-human efforts of Dr. Leonora Angeles for
making this all possible. Salaamat Po!

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 Table of Contents

SECTION PAGE
Table of Contents........................................................................... III
List of Figures, Maps, Photos and Tables ................................................V
1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................6
2.0 GOALS OF THE REPORT.............................................................6
3.0 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................6
4.0 ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT ..................................................7
5.0 BENEFITS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE ..............................................8
5.1 Environmental Sustainability...................................................8
5.2 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ......................................9
5.3 Growth Management .......................................................... 10
6.0 BACKGROUND: AGRICULTURE IN NAGA CITY ................................. 10
7.0 URBAN AGRICULTURE AND POLICY MECHANISMS: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
13
8.0 PROPOSED STRATEGY............................................................. 16
8.1 Institutionalizing Urban Agriculture......................................... 16
8.2 Agricultural Research and Development ................................... 17
8.3 Education, Training and Extension: Urban Agriculture Program to Ensure
Sustainability ............................................................................ 20
8.4 Marketing and Financial Assistance ......................................... 27
8.5 Managing Growth: Land Use Planning and Supportive Policy Frameworks for
Implementation ......................................................................... 29
8.5.1 Land Availability, Accessibility and Usability..................... 29
8.5.2 Land use planning, policy and regulations: the integration of Urban
Agriculture into urban planning ............................................. 33
9.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................. 36
10.0 CONCLUSION ....................................................................... 39
Bibliography ................................................................................ 40
Author Biographies ........................................................................ 44
Appendix 1: Research Notes ............................................................. 45
Appendix 2: Case Studies................................................................. 48
Rosario, Argentina ............................................................. 48
Governador Valadores, Brazil ................................................ 49
The Stop Community Food Centre, Toronto, Canada .................... 50
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania...................................................... 51
Kampala, Uganda .............................................................. 53
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines ................................................. 54
Appendix 3: Innovations .................................................................. 56
Farm to School Programs ..................................................... 56

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College and University Farms ................................................ 56
Urban Agriculture Conferences .............................................. 57
Marketing Cluster Associations............................................... 58
Land Conservation via Greenbelt Initiatives............................... 58
Multi-Stakeholder Process of Urban Agriculture .......................... 59
Participatory Community Assessments ..................................... 63
Micro-Enterprise Management ............................................... 63
Evolving Credit Schemes ...................................................... 63

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 List of Figures, Maps, Photos and Tables

Figure 1: Environmental sustainability model.

Figure 2: National Research, Development and Extension Program for UA in the

Philippines: Conceptual Framework.

Map1: Land Use Map of Naga City.

Map 2: Cropzones in Naga City.

Photo 1: Container Gardening in Naga.

Photo 2: Vacant Lands in Naga’s CBD1.

Table 1: SWOT Matrix of Agricultural Program, City Agricultural Office.

Table 2: Summary of Recommendations.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Urban agriculture (UA) is changing the way that people feed themselves in cities. Academics
and practitioners alike are increasingly turning their attention to the current form and future
potential of this activity. Broadly defined as agricultural activities (e.g. vegetable
production, livestock rearing, aquaculture, and flower and ornamental gardens) in both urban
and peri-urban areas (Slater 2001), urban farming has recently been touted as a critical
element to achieving productivity and sustainability amidst rapid urbanization.

2.0 GOALS OF THE REPORT

Project Purpose
As one of the fastest growing economies in the Bicol region, Naga City positions itself as a
centre of agricultural productivity. The pressures of urban development encroaching on vital
agricultural lands create a sense of urgency for the municipality to prioritize the plans,
programs and policies designed to permanently protect agricultural lands. Turning its
attention to the benefits of UA is an important choice the city can make to facilitate land
protection, sustain food security and foster viable livelihoods for Naguenos. As such, the
following research will address:

How can UA be developed and promoted as a viable livelihood option to enhance

agricultural productivity and conserve lands critical for sustainable food
security?

While Naga currently does not have an institutionalized UA program, it is expected that
investigation will reveal key municipal assets and resources necessary to enable a successful
UA program.

Identified Research Goals

• Conduct sound research contributing to the discourse of UA program development in
developing countries.
• Gain an intimate knowledge of the spatial, social and political environments of Naga
City.
• Develop a practical set of recommendations for Naga City to utilize in the
development and implementation of a successful UA program.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

In order to address the research question as comprehensively as possible, a mixed-method

approach was adopted, comprising three main elements: 1) spatial, 2) social and 3) political.
Using multiple methods facilitates triangulation in the research, as data captured from each
method will be used to test for accuracy and validity. The study, while specific to the
context of Naga, is designed to be replicable with the intent of making an impact on the field
of planning and development by encouraging evaluation and analysis of similar UA systems.

1. Spatial: land use maps and plans were consulted to understand the nature and dynamics
of urban sprawl pressures on Naga’s agricultural land.

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2. Social: interviews and focus groups were conducted with farmers and market vendors to
understand their attitudes towards, and experiences of UA.

In-depth interviews and focus groups were favoured over questionnaires, due to their
potential to capture rich, descriptive data, and elicit deeper meaning and understanding
of respondents. In-depth interviews with farmers and market vendors were conducted
mainly on a one-to-one basis, and focus groups contained approximately twenty
participants, with the assistance of two translators. Data was captured in the form of
note-taking and audio recording.

Farmers were asked to discuss their experiences, needs and problems, in order to
generate ideas regarding required actions and policy measures. Questions included: 1)
why did you become a farmer; 2) do you enjoy farming; and 3) what problems do you face
as a farmer in Naga, and 4) what could be done to address them.

3. Political: analysis of agricultural ordinances and land-use policies were supplemented by

interviews with institutional actors to understand the significance of UA to Naga’s current
and future development. Questions to officials included: 1) what strategies have been
deployed to assist farmers in cities; 2) what are the key constraints farmers in Naga
experience; and 3) what do you think the authority should do to overcome these
constraints.

By contrasting public officials’ with producers’ views, the team was able to highlight areas for
innovation, where UA policies and mechanisms could be enhanced and promoted to more
effectively respond to the needs and constraints of the city’s producers and vendors.

Reviews of interviews and focus groups are attached in Appendix 1. To maintain

confidentiality, research participants will remain anonymous and general job descriptions will
be cited in the report.

4.0 ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT

The following report utilizes the Conceptual Framework of the National Research,
Development and Extension (RDE) Network for a UA program in the Philippines (Nitural n.d.).
Unfortunately, this framework currently remains little more than that, a concept. But this
presents Naga with an ideal opportunity. By applying this theory, Naga has the potential to
become a showcase example of UA practices and policies in the Philippines.
While each section in the report corresponds to a recommended program component, it
should be noted that the order of presentation does not necessarily dictate an order of
program implementation. That is, each element of the UA program is inter-related and
initiatives to create and implement components may take place simultaneously.
The specific details provided for each UA program component are based on the study team’s
research conducted while in Naga City. The research informed key findings that present a
number of opportunities for the development, implementation and promotion of a UA
program. Perhaps an initial step that must be recognized before furthering UA is a shared
understanding and acceptance for the rationale to pursue such a program in Naga City.
Recognizing the importance of building a case for the necessity of these components in Naga

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City, rationales, based on literature reviews from an international development perspective,
will introduce key findings, related best practices and innovations and recommendations
generated specifically to fit the Naga City context.

5.0 BENEFITS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE

5.1 Environmental Sustainability

Since its formal inception during the 1983 Brundtland Commission, sustainability has become
a well-used term applied in various fields and practices. While it was initially defined as
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs” (Hart 1998), sustainability’s role has since deepened
and broadened as it has become more ingrained in daily life. Sustainable development is built
upon the three pillars of social equity, economic growth and environmental protection. In
order for sustainability to be achieved, there must be equal balance between these three
pillars, thus ensuring a holistic and balanced approach in its implementation (www.ciria.org
2007). Figure 1 below outlines the balance between the social, economic and environmental
supports of sustainable development.

Figure 1: Sustainability Model.

In terms of sustainable agriculture, the same need for balance between the three pillars is
key in insuring a holistic relationship exists between food producers, consumers and the
supporting environment. A sustainable approach to agriculture allows producers to diversify
production to meet their economic and cultural needs as well as those of the populations they
support, while remaining stewards of the land from which they derive their livelihoods (Allen
et al 2003). Sustainable agriculture also entails an element of empowerment as it emphasizes
a deliberate care and responsibility for the health of the environment and thus for the
consumers (or “food citizens”) who are direct participants in a sustainable food system

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(Levkoe 2006). Agriculture and subsequent food chains can directly benefit from sustainable
practices while serving as examples of the benefits and successes of a holistic and
participatory approach to food.

Research suggests that UA’s contribution to urban food supply and household urban food
security is significant and, in many instances, growing. In countries such as Zimbabwe, Cuba,
Kenya, Uganda and Haiti, where households practising UA have been compared with poor non-
practising households, the former have been found to have lower food insecurity, eat more
meals, maintain a more balanced diet year-round, and use their savings to buy other food
items that would otherwise be unaffordable (Mougeot 2005).

Definition of food security: “that food is available at all times; that all persons have means
of access to it; that it is nutritionally adequate in terms of quantity, quality, and variety;
and that it is acceptable within the given culture” (Mougeot 2006:80).

Previous research in Africa also suggests that a small category of entrepreneurs can emerge
through UA, where financing programs are made accessible to them (Gabel 2005). By growing
their food, producers can save considerable money because they have to purchase less food.
Selling some of the harvest may generate income that can subsequently be used to meet
other basic needs, such as schooling. Incomes and wages from UA tend to compare favourably
with those of unskilled construction workers (Mougeot 2005). UA has also been used to
employ youths, ex-convicts and homeless and other “at risk” populations. With fair access to
resources and services, UA can be an integral component of income and employment
strategies, while also building more self-reliant local food supply systems.

5.2 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Urban farming has been identified by the United Nations as a key strategy towards meeting
the Millennium Development Goals:

MDGs UA Contribution
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and • Generation of income through sale of agricultural
hunger products
• Employment of “at risk” populations
• Reduction of food purchases
• Increased food security and nutrition levels

2. Promote gender equality and • Creation and strengthening of women’s networks

empower women
• Generation of income
• Flexible livelihood strategy, allowing women to
juggle multiple roles in subsistence, production and
environmental management
• Social and financial independence

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3. Ensure environmental • Beautification of city through production of trees,
sustainability flowers and ornamental plants
• Reduction of erosion
• Absorption of air pollution and odours
• Recycling of solid wastes and grey water

5.3 Growth Management

An identified strength of UA lies in its ability to link cities and their environments (Mougeot
2005). As such, UA is an increasingly affordable and effective tool for sustainable growth
management (Mougeot 2005). Local governments play an important role in safeguarding the
environment of areas under their jurisdiction through powers to formulate their own plans
and by-laws (Spies 2000). At this local level strategic planning and programming of vacant or
idle lands suitable for UA will promote a certain level of protection and food security.
However, a strategic UA plan cannot stand alone. It must be fully supported through policy
statements and enabling legislation. For example, lands designated for UA should have
separate development regulations and bylaws to guide how the land can be protected from
future development.

6.0 BACKGROUND: AGRICULTURE IN NAGA CITY

• 65.78% of Naga’s total land area is devoted to agriculture

• Rice, sugarcane, coconut and corn are the main crops grown

• Natural disasters, limited financial means, high production costs and intensive land
conversion constrain Naga’s agricultural development

• Improving agricultural productivity was identified as a top priority in this year’s

annual report.

Source: Naga City Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2000

With just under two-thirds of its total land area dedicated to agricultural purposes, Naga
remains primarily agricultural (CLUP 2000). Good soil conditions and flat terrain allow for
increased agricultural productivity rates in Naga. Akin to the rest of Bicol, the major staple
crops grown in the city are rice, coconut, sugarcane and corn; although a flourishing swine-
raising industry has also developed of late. Agricultural activity is concentrated in 11 of the
city’s 27 barangays (San Felipe, Pacol, San Isidro, Carayan, Carolina, Balatas, Conception
Pequena, Del Rosario, Concepcion Grande, Mabolo and Panicuason), located east of the city
proper (see Map 1).

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Map 1: Land use map of Naga City, illustrating the predominance of agricultural lands. Source: CLUP (2000).

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 Strengths – S Weaknesses - W
• Soil types and generally flat terrain • Lack/unimproved farm-to-market
good for diversified farming roads
• Presence of agricultural support • Unimproved farming and livestock
facilities, i.e., irrigation, hydro-dams, techniques
abattoir
• Medium and small-scale poultry and
livestock industry
• Naga with predominant agricultural
land use
Opportunities – O SO – Strategies WO – Strategies
• Agricultural support services • Agricultural Development through • Provision of irrigation
• Possible sourcing of funds from Sen. strengthening of agri-extension system/facilities, skills upgrading of
Roco, Rep. Jacob and Usec Dy-Prieto services and prioritization of on-going farmers and agricultural technicians
• Available agriculture sector support land reform programs • Prioritize improvement of farm-to-
• Irrigation projects underway • Intensify and diversify crop production market roads
• Assistance from sister cities/DA within the existing prime agricultural • Hire professional managers to
• Available financing institutions lands manage farmers organizations
• Trading Centre • Increase farm and livestock production • Encourage farmers to undertake
• Responsive political leaders to by protecting key agricultural areas open alternative ways
agricultural development from land conversion and promotion of
production boosting methods

Threats – T ST – Strategies WT – Strategies

• Occurrence of La Niña • Encourage participation of • Provide additional farm-to-market
• Possible lack of support from national government as well as private sectors roads and improve/repair existing
government in the provision of support facilities to farm-to-market road
• Lack of coordination from DPWH and meet future agricultural demands, • Minimize unwarranted land
other government agencies prevent pollution and top soil conversion to ensure continuity of
• Top soil deterioration due to erosion deterioration local food supply
during rainy season • Organize small farmers in order to
• Financial constraints pool resources to buy equipment
• Industrial pollution
• Weather condition
• High Cost of Production
• Lack of support for CARP
beneficiaries

Table 1: SWOT matrix of the agriculture sector in 1999. Source: CLUP (2000).

However, natural disasters, financial constraints and high production costs continue to
inhibit Naga’s agricultural sector from achieving its potential. Moreover, high land
conversion rates have further put at risk Naga’s ability to ensure food security and
improve farmers’ livelihoods. In 1999 alone, a total of 1,660 hectares of agricultural lands
were converted in Naga (CLUP 2000). Conserving land for agricultural production has thus
been identified as a top priority. Faced with these constraints, the City Agriculture Office
(CAgO) has dedicated itself to promoting intensified agricultural production.

The CAgO has outlined the following objectives to meet this need (CLUP 2000):

1. To provide technical assistance to farmers via improved crop production technology,

with emphasis on low cost production techniques

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2. To increase the production of grains (rice and corn) and other food crops within the
key production areas
3. To enhance the productivity and increase farm incomes through a diversified
livelihoods approach
4. To promote organic farming techniques to increase agricultural sustainability.

Focusing primarily on the city’s agricultural barangays, the CAgO has invested resources in
the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, irrigation networks, and technological
developments, particularly high yielding varieties (see Table 1). But much more remains
to be done. Rising food demands, together with decreasing incomes in agricultural areas,
require further interventions in the agricultural sector. So great has this need become,
that improving agricultural productivity has been outlined as one of the top priorities of
the next electoral term (State of the City Report 2007).

7.0 URBAN AGRICULTURE AND POLICY MECHANISMS: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Studies conducted worldwide emphasise the significant influence that public policy has on
the performance of UA systems. With inadequate political assistance and means, urban
households often have to practice illegally, on marginal and often hazardous sites, posing
risks to their own health, that of their family and consumers (Mougeot 2005). However,
with supportive policy mechanisms, farming can thrive within municipal boundaries,
impacting positively on the alleviation of poverty and food supply, environment and land
use and women’s empowerment.

Local authorities can play a key role in enabling and regulating UA, among others by
(Mougeot 2005):

• Stimulating the dialogue and cooperation among the direct and indirect
stakeholders in UA.

• Reviewing and revising existing municipal by-laws and regulations regarding UA.

• Integrating UA into municipal development plans and sector policies.

• Securing access to land and enhancing the security of user rights of urban farmers,
among others by urban land use planning and zonification, provision of land, and
the promotion of multi-functional land use.

• Promoting safe re-use of urban organic wastes and wastewater in agriculture.

• Stimulating enhanced support to processes of technological innovation in UA and

promoting ecological farming practices.

• Facilitating local marketing of fresh, urban-produced food.

The National Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Network for UA Programs (under
the auspices of the Department of Agriculture) has already played an active role in
enhancing and implementing urban farming in the Philippines. Their Conceptual
Framework is shown in Figure 2 below (Nitural n.d.).

The components of the program are as follows:

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1. Agricultural Research and Development
1.1.Benchmark Socio-Economic Studies
1.2.Biotechnology and Varietal Improvements
1.3.Cultural Management
1.4.Pest Management
The development of management strategies against common pests and diseases
affecting crops and livestock. It also includes strategies to prevent the occurrence
of pathogens in an urban setting.
1.5.Postharvesting/Processing
Studies on processing/packaging of plant and animal products to prolong their
shelf life and add value to products.
1.6.Waste Management
Composting and treatment of agricultural and household wastes, recycling of
water for irrigation purposes, and wastewater treatment
1.7. Agricultural Engineering
The design of space-saving planting platforms, efficient rainfall-supplied drip
irrigation/fertilisation systems etc

2. Organization, Training and Extension

2.1 Institutional and Human Resource and Development
Manpower development efforts pursued to strengthen the capabilities of both
program implementers and beneficiaries.
2.2 Piloting of Technologies
UA technologies generated through research will be piloted in the program areas.
2.3 Establishment of Demo Farms
Demonstration farms established in strategic locations (especially inner-city areas)
to serve as showcase of UA technologies.

3. Planning and Land Use Management

3.1 Land Availability, Accessibility and Usability
The inventory of city lands to determine the current condition of land resources.
3.2 Land Use Planning and Supportive Policy Frameworks
Development and implementation of the plans, policies and regulations required
to achieve recognized UA goals and objectives.

4. Market Development
4.1 Market Studies
4.2 Marketing Assistance
Provided to cooperatives to ensure the efficient marketing of produce.

5. Policy Advocacy
Policy studies conducted to study the potentials of UA as well as the issues and
concerns of this activity.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

7. Program review
Conducted annually by the Department of Agriculture to provide an external
monitoring and evaluation of the program, to allow adjustments in program
design, activities and timetable whenever necessary.

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Figure 2: National Research, Development and Extension Program for UA Conceptual Framework. Source: Nitural, P. S. (n.d.)

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8.0 PROPOSED STRATEGY

The following section outlines the proposed framework required to develop and strengthen
Naga’s UA sector, in order to enhance productivity and conserve land critical for sustainable
food security. The strategy proposed is based on a review of current agricultural practices
and policies in Naga, as well as case studies and innovations conducted elsewhere. Effort has
been made to develop a people-centred, holistic and sustainable policy framework, which is
not dependent on external supports and is resilient in the face of external shocks and
stresses. The opening section considers the measures required to institutionalize UA in Naga.
Thereafter, attention is paid to the particular program components of a UA strategy in Naga,
following closely the conceptual framework outlined in the previous chapter.

8.1 Institutionalizing Urban Agriculture

Institutional gaps can exacerbate problems and neglect opportunities for successful UA. In
most places, UA falls under the jurisdiction of several different levels and types of
authorities. For instance, officials at municipal, provincial and national levels may deal with
different issues, including agriculture, public works, forestry, urban planning, transportation,
environment, justice, and the interior (Quon 1999). Without an agency or organization with
specific responsibilities to regulate, aid, support, monitor and facilitate research on UA, it
often "falls between the cracks" of typical municipal sectorally-organized government, or is
subject to confused and conflicting jurisdiction (Quon 1999).

As service providers, local governments should first try to understand the issues surrounding
UA and agree to a division of roles and responsibilities before developing strategies with other
stakeholders (Spies 2000). Coordination and information-sharing at the municipal level is
needed for adequate governance and institutional capacity to carry out effective
environmental planning and management, and provide urban services, public education, and
remain accountable to the public, an assertion that carries over to UA (Quon 1999).

Key Findings in Naga City

Currently Naga City offers a wide variety of programs to support certain aspects of
agricultural development. The city should be proud of these accomplishments, but should
recognize the opportunity and necessity to institutionalize UA, that is, to create and promote
a structured and well-established UA system in the city.

Based on interviews with key city officials it was determined by the researchers that current
goals and objectives for the promotion and conservation of agriculture in Naga City are
fragmented. While current projects such as the City Hall demonstration garden, 4H clubs and
technical assistance programs for farmers exist in Naga, it was identified that such efforts
could be strengthened by creating a larger support network at the local level (i.e. through
engaging municipal offices, citizens and non-governmental agencies). In other words, an
opportunity for capacity building around UA exists in Naga City since the current
agricultural programs are often administered by a single municipal office. Foundation
building, a recommended first step in the development of Naga’s UA program, is essential to
identifying the roles, responsibilities and capacities of municipal offices poised to affect
change in the current and future state of agriculture in Naga City.

Issues

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 • Need to Institutionalize UA.
• Need for the development of a Multi-Stakeholder Process to create a unified vision,
goals and objectives for UA.
• Need for the development, implementation and promotion of a UA program.

Innovations
• UA Conferences in South Africa (Appendix 3): In March 1998, IDRC held an
international UA workshop at Technikon Pretoria. The comprehensive overview of
issues that affect the practice of UA reveal that a key to successful implementation of
UA lies in the institutionalization of UA programs (Spies 2000).
• Development of a Multi-Stakeholder Process dealing with UA (Appendix 3): Information
on the development of a MSP, including a sample inter-actor agreement for
development of an baseline study and action plan on UA (van Veenhuizen 2006).

Recommendations
• City planning staff should take a proactive role in initiating the development a
Multi-Stakeholder Process designed to institutionalize UA in Naga. Information on
how this process can be initiated and implemented is provided in the Innovations
Appendix section (Appendix 3).
• Create, Implement, Manage and Promote a UA program in Naga City. A detailed
framework for UA program design is fully discussed in the text of this research paper.
It is suggested that the municipality utilize the program concept that has proven
successful in other regions of the Philippines (Cagayan de Oro, Appendix 2).
• City should host information dissemination sessions via monthly UA Round Table
meetings or an annual National conference on UA (activities may be in partner with
local Universities or NGOs). A sample of successful implementation of a national
conference in South Africa is included in the Innovations Appendix (Appendix 2).

8.2 Agricultural Research and Development

Fundamental to any UA system is a strong research and development component. Without

thorough understanding of the state of UA, misconceptions about its socio-economic and
environmental importance will persist, and its potential benefits not fully realized.
Technology development is equally as important, in order to ensure that intensification of
both crop and animal production and processing offers maximum benefits to urban livelihoods
and minimum negative impacts on the health of producer and consumer families, their
neighbours and on the urban environment. Technologies include conversion of biodegradable
solid wastes into humus or compost, recycling of waste water (which requires careful
monitoring), integrated pest management, and use of organic or herbal pesticides (Mougeot
2005).

Key Findings in Naga

Naga has already made significant headway in collecting baseline data of existing socio-
economic and environmental conditions. Comprehensive farmer profiles (detailing age,
marital status, farming practices, land area etc) are collected in the city and made widely
accessible to all agricultural technicians. Details of producers are only kept in paper format
however, and only those in direct contact with the city are recorded.

- 17 -
The city has also conducted environmental (i.e. soil fertility, drainage systems) and
capability assessments (i.e. fertility and productivity of land) within all of its barangays
(CLUP 2000), providing useful information when deciding which parcels of land offer the most
satisfactory return for resource inputs. Data about land ownership, tenure and land
resources at the individual lots level is not yet recorded however, such that the amount and
location of unused, underused and misused land remains largely unknown

In terms of technology development, the city has already invested considerable resources, or
identified as areas for improvement, crop development (use of modern varieties), increased
use of fertilizers and pesticides and crops, prepared feed and vaccines in livestock
production, and improved water efficiency via irrigation (CLUP 2000). More than P1M has
already been invested to provide irrigation facilities to agricultural areas in Panicuason,
Carolina, Pacol and San Felipe (State of the City Report 2007). Interviews with local farmers,
however, indicated that research on technical development is focused on rural farming
systems and may not necessarily be applicable to the urban context. Moreover, the close
connections between urban farming and waste management strategies have not fully been
made, and farmers’ participation in technology development is limited.

Issues
• Need to collect information on farmer profiles in all barangays, and create a suitable
database
• Need to collect data on land ownership, tenure and land use (at the individual lots
level) in order to understand the amount and location of vacant and unused space in
the city
• Need to develop agricultural technologies more suitable to the urban setting
• Need to foster more communication between the CAgO and ENRO, particularly with
regards to waste management initiatives
• Need to more heavily involve farmers in technology development

Case Studies
• GIS in Dar es Salaam (Appendix 2): Several cities have gathered and documented
baseline information using GIS. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, GIS has been
supplemented with aerial photography analysis and mapping gin the field to identify
vacant lots for UA development (Dongus and Drescher 2001). In Naga, integration of
GIS into UA development will be facilitated by the city’s already strong IT department.
• Socioeconomic Survey in Khorogo, Côte d’Ivoire: A Tobit Approach (Appendix 2): A
quantitative analysis was undertaken with the assistance of AGROPOLIS to identify the
determinants of small ruminant adoption (Barry 2005). Data was collected on
determining factors, and the results were analysed using the ‘Empirical Tobit Model’.
While focus was placed specifically on livestock adoption, the analysis could be readily
transferred to crop production, aquaculture etc, and made highly applicable to the
Naga context.
• Waste Management in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines (Appendix 2): Cagayan de Oro’s
extensive systems of allotment gardens rely heavily on compost made from
biodegradable waste, and have illustrated explicitly the need to integrate a solid
waste management component into UA.

Innovations

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 • Technology Development (PTD) approach to urban horticulture in Kampala, Uganda
(Appendix 3): In Kampala, local authorities have tapped into urban producers’
horticultural knowledge to develop planting systems optimizing vertical space (Prain
2006). The PTD approach involved three main steps: 1) focus groups and workshops
with local farmers to outline agricultural skills, knowledge and farming techniques; 2)
a formal survey of farming practices similar to that outlined above, which was
complimented with laboratory analysis of samples; and 3) farmer-led experimentation.
A PTD approach to UA is highly applicable in Naga, due to the city’s well established
participatory governance culture.

Recommendations
• A community assessment of existing UA conditions should be undertaken to develop
an organized and strategic UA plan. A long-term goal of the assessment is to develop
and maintain a data collection and storage system that will provide information
necessary to guide the monitoring and evaluation of UA plan. Specific tasks in the
assessment include:
- identification of all vacant, undeveloped, idle lands in Naga (ownership of
these land should be indicated during data collection)
- soil suitability/environmental assessment of all lands
- identification of current and future food system/security, and population
levels
- review of farming practices, farmer profiles and programs. These assessments
should be attentive to gender dimensions of attitudes and actions, and should
be inserted into a database to improve efficiency and data analysis.
It is our inclination that creating this level of organization will position Naga City as a
strong competitor for international funding. Databases could even include grants
applied for, or how programs are currently being funded/supported.
• The community assessment data should be inserted into a database and integrated
with GIS, to improve efficiency and data analysis. This will be facilitated by the
city’s already strong IT capacity, but may also require external research assistance.
• Greater collaboration with local (CSAC, BU), national (DA) and international
(AGROPOLIS, IDRC, RUAF) research institutions to gain additional technical support
(socio-economic assessments and surveys could become a research thesis or class
project).
• Involvement of farmers in all stages (innovation, experimentation,
implementation) of technology development (PTD approach). Partnerships with
research institutions to gain additional technical support (socio-economic assessments
and surveys could become a research thesis or class project) (Appendix 3).
• Development of technology specific to the urban context (i.e. container gardening
techniques). This activity already takes place informally in many of Naga’s barangays
(see Photo 1 below), but could be extended by strengthening seed networks and
providing practical training courses at marginal cost.
• Closer integration of waste management into UA programs, involving technologies of
composting or co-composting at the household of community scale, and the large-scale
collection and preparation of restaurant and other food residues for animal feed. It is
recommended that the city adopt a system similar to that in other Philippines cities
(Cagayan de Oro, Appendix 2).

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 Photo 1: Container gardening in Lerme barangay.

8.3 Education, Training and Extension: Urban Agriculture Program to Ensure

Sustainability

UA has been regarded as both an extremely progressive and regressive activity with regards to
socio-economic development and environmental stewardship. Through its various definitions,
UA has been touted as a coping strategy during times of economic crisis (Southworth 2006),
an innovative means of creating sustainable local economies (Levkoe 2006), a cultural activity
which can empower marginalized peoples (Allen, et al 2003) and an illegal practice which
jeopardizes human health, pollutes cities and creates nuisances (Quon 1999; Slater 2001).

Though political attitudes towards the activity became more favourable in the 1980s
(Mougeot 2005), the association of UA with a failing development process continues to make
its mark on many contemporary political agendas. The preoccupation with advocating UA and
representing it in terms of its monetary benefits has resulted in a paradigm that is narrowly
defined, economistic and utilitarian in its perception of the activity's benefits (Slater 2001).
Policy makers have often relied upon quantitative techniques that more easily demonstrate
the economic outcomes of UA, and have aggregated data, thus masking the differential
opportunities and constraints of different urban farmers. According to Mougeot (2005), UA
policies have tended to focus on large, public projects, and involved limited stakeholder
consultation.

Currently, perceptions surrounding UA continue to be rather conflicted; a feeling which has

manifested itself in the relationships between the key stakeholders within the UA framework:
the farmers, the public, the politicians and the planners (Quon 1999). These often tense
relationships are a product of many misconceptions and knowledge gaps between these key

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players. Negative and deep-rooted cultural perceptions can hinder UA initiatives creating
venues for mistrust and shame, thus impeding mutually beneficial UA partnerships (Quon
1999). It is for this reason that education must play a key role in the development,
implementation, acceptance and practice of UA activities. Only through education and
understanding can all stakeholders in UA begin to truly work together to enable accepted and
community driven sustainable agriculture in urban landscapes, while changing perceptions
and empowering one another.

1.2 Education Contexts

While its role is vital in the promotion and implementation of UA practices, education takes
place in various realms and at different levels. Since UA is a holistic activity, education
surrounding its practices and components must also be holistic and include all players. UA
education must encompass physical skills and farming practices as well as social and political
education in order to democratize food systems and allow all participants to become active
members in all aspects of food production, processing and distribution (Levkoe 2006). The
following sub-sections describe and analyze the various education contexts of UA by
employing a combination of literature reviews, research findings and case studies. The
informed recommendations are also included in this section.

1.2.1 Educating the Farmers

The education of farmers must take place in both the physical and political realm, as the
success of UA initiatives depends as much upon sustainable agriculture skills and
environmentally sound practices as it does upon political and legal know-how (Quon 1999).
In order for UA to become widely accepted as an official land-use, farmers must develop
exemplary sustainable agriculture skills to “sell it” to the rest of the public, the government
and local planners (Quon 1999). However, the missing link of political/ legislative education
must also be addressed in order to enable farmers to assert their interests in the political
realm so that enabling policies can be created based upon their knowledge and expertise
(Quon 1999). Not only will this allow farmers to exert a sense of ownership over UA, but it
will empower them to continue to participate, make change, learn and influence their local
food systems, while changing perceptions regarding agriculture and the people who practice
it. Levkoe (2006) deems this type of situation as an example of “food democracy”, where
active participation in a food system is increased through education, and fueled by increasing
confidence in one’s own knowledge.

Key Findings in Naga City

Farmer education in Naga and Metro Naga appears to come from various sources. While some
farmer skills are derived from traditional means, others commented on attending workshop
and free seminars. Many of these seminars, however, are sponsored by large agri-business
companies (i.e. Monsanto), requiring farmers to buy their products in exchange for free
education; thus becoming dependent on them. The negative social stigma attached to
farming is perhaps one of the greatest challenges to UA in Naga City. There is a general sense
of low self confidence among farmers in Naga. Most would rather their children become
“professionals” (doctors, businessmen) rather than farmers.

While the CAgO promotes various technology and education extension services, there is little
documentation of such programs, and the means for promoting these services is unclear, as it
seems to be based on word of mouth. Farmers are under increasing pressure to increase

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production at all costs. This pressure often results in a gradual abandonment of traditional
chemical-free practices in favor of chemically-based methods. The CAgO promotes organic
methods, but the study findings illustrated a lack of understanding among farmers about
health effects of pesticide- and chemical-use.

In addition, most farmers are tenant workers, whose livelihoods rest upon landowners’
decisions. Barangay captains and groups such as the RIC, 4-H Club and local growers
associations facilitate communication between local government and producers, but farmers
have limited access to information regarding the legalities and policies surrounding UA in
Naga City. The most common problem stated among all farmers is lack of funds. There is also
an emphasis on the economic benefits of larger UA projects, yet little recognition for smaller
endeavours.

Key Issues
• Lack of farmer education and awareness of environmental sustainability issues.
• Need for capacity-building and empowerment among farming community.
• Lack of understanding among producers regarding legal and policy information.
• Lack of funds for small farmers.

Case Studies
• Farmer consultation in Kampala, Rosario, Dar es Salaam and Governador Valaderes
(Appendix 2). In all of the chosen examples, local policy has been developed in
consultation with local farmers. Participatory policy-making capitalizes on local
knowledge and empowers practitioners.
• Free Farming Schools and Workshops in Rosario and Governador Valadares (Appendix
2). Local farmers are provided with hands-on learning through product and practice
demonstrations, access to communal gardens etc

Recommendations
• Create a database of farmer profiles and farming practices, to assess who is
farming, where and at what scale, to create more relevant policy mechanisms and
foster collaborative action and increased communication.
• Make use of farmer skills and knowledge to build capacity and empower. Naga’s
farmers already exhibit a wealth of agricultural knowledge, which can be easily
accessed.
• Further promotion of chemical-free UA methods for a holistic and sustainable
practice, through holistic workshops and education days at local farms. The CAgO
should collaborate with the ENRO to educate farmers about the benefits of organic
farming methods, and the need to remain independent of large agri-businesses.

1.2.2 Educating the Public

UA has the ability to change the way citizens perceive their food, as it can be a highly visible
practice whose presence in a community can spark interest and educate local residents
(Deelstra and Girardet 2001). This type of learning is important in fostering the previously
mentioned “food democracy” concept. UA can contribute to both individual and collective
learning as it can be accomplished through personal interactions between local producers and
consumers, or through collective experiences via workshops and social movements (Levkoe
2006). Public education focusing on UA also seeks to redefine the consumer as a “food
citizen”, thus personalizing local food systems and strengthening the bonds of understanding

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between all members of the food production chain (Levkoe 2006). The public often fails to
recognize the significant influence it can exert over food systems (via boycotts, protests,
etc), however this power must be informed before it can be used to create change (Campbell
2004).

Public education, however, must go one step further, as it occurs at multiple levels and
scales. One exists within the education system itself. Clugston and Calder (1999) state that
sustainable development is rooted in education and capacity building of all peoples with
regards to environment and development issues. Elementary and high schools can serve as
excellent venues for agricultural education, be it through the curriculum, school gardens,
farm-to-school nutritional programs, and/or various community events (Selfa and Quazi
2005). Colleges and universities can serve similar purposes, while making use of additional
resources in order to participate in community out-reach and education (Allen et al 2003).

Key Findings in Naga City

Similar to farmers’ perceptions, farming activities are stigmatized by Naga’s citizens. The
negative stigma remains in the public consciousness as farming skills do not appear to be
valued, and farming is not considered as honorable an activity as those of “professionals”.
There was little mention of the various social and environmental benefits of sustainable UA.
The need for economic productivity was continually emphasized.

While agriculture is starting to be integrated in certain school’s curriculum, and some school
gardens have already been established, there is little shared learning between local
universities, schools, farmers, and the public in Naga. The demonstration garden behind City
Hall is tended by students, but public education on agricultural practices remains minimal.

Some owners of vacant land in Naga City have donated lands for UA purposes, but there
appears no formal or institutionalized mechanism to enable this.

Key Issues
• UA's contribution to Naga's development is viewed in largely economistic terms by all
stakeholders.
• Lack of agricultural education in schools.
• Lack of land owner education regarding UA as an alternative land-use.
• Lack of understanding between farmers and the public.
• Lack of public control over the food system.

Case Studies
• Public Education through the Stop Project, Toronto (Appendix 3). This project
operates community garden space and teaching gardens for children, establishes
student farms on university and college campuses and provides free public education
via drop-ins and workshops. These programs educate future consumers and ensure that
farming and sustainable UA practices will be valued by future generations. The Stop’s
creation of curriculum links has begun to fill this gap in education, and the City of
Toronto’s Children’s Garden Program serves as a venue for class trips and hands-on
learning. The Stop also encourages members of the public to become food citizens by
actively participating in local food production and thus democratizing food and
agriculture systems.

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Recommendations
• Link UA to other issues in the public realm via workshops, media and festivals.
Creating venues for public education regarding the important links between UA, the
environment, health, education and the economy can take place via collaborative
workshops, drop-in information sessions, UA training sessions with local farmers and
street festivals. “Wellness Festivals” could bring all UA stakeholders together to share
in locally grown foods, workshops and demonstrations.
• Increase connection between farms and schools, through school nutrition programs,
further promotion of school gardens, creation of hands-on learning centres on local
farms etc.
• Promote locally grown products at markets through public education and media
promotion to foster pride in local UA activities. A potential brand could be entitled
“Naga Natural”, or “Bicol’s Bounty”, and could help mobilize farmer activities and
increase collaboration between stakeholders.
• Make use of Naga’s Universities: Make use of a large student population to carry out
collaborative vacant land surveys, employ GIS assessments and create new venues for
UA initiatives. Students at the animation school could help collaborate in creating a
brand for locally produced agricultural products.
• Collaborate with out-of-school youth. Generated income could be put towards a
scholarship fund to enable out-of-school youth to gain access to formal education.
• Make UA highly visible in the public realm: Using public venues (such as Plaza Rizal,
Plaza Quezon and church courtyards) to demonstrates various UA techniques. Trellises
can be employed to create vertical gardening spaces and container growing can be
employed in almost any location. Sufficient educational information should be
provided at such locations for public use. Demonstrations and workshops could take
place regularly at such locations in order to promote these types of UA activities to
the general public and potentially inspire the growth of small scale UA initiatives.

1.2.3 Educating the Planners

Professional planners strive to create healthy, livable and sustainable communities, and are
often in unique positions to serve as organizers, facilitators and motivators for community-
lead action (Campbell 2004). Unfortunately, there is often a disconnect between planning
and food systems as they are often perceived as separate; planning pertaining to the
physical/ structural realm, and food to the realms of health and rural environments
(Pothukuchi and Kaufman 2000). In the past, food systems planning has focused on the
transportation of goods, and the zoning of supermarkets and other commercial locations, yet
has failed to address the various social and environmental issues that arise when sustainable
agricultural systems and food security are considered (Pothukuchi and Kaufman 2000).

Recently however, there has been a movement towards food planning as an integral part of
both the academic and practical realms of the practice. Drawing upon aspects of Ebenezer
Howard’s “Garden City”, planners have begun to reconnect producers and consumers via
comprehensive data gathering, enabling zoning regulations, organizing various groups to
perform community food assessments and facilitating the formation of relationships between
groups which would have never collaborated in the past (Campbell, 2004). Planners, however,
must remain open to constantly informing their own skills and education regarding UA and
sustainable agricultural practices in order to serve as effective facilitators and agents of
change with political and social frameworks (Campbell 2004). Quon (1999) suggests that

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planners must abandon preconceived notions regarding UA by taking guidance from the
people, and thus fostering the creation of locally acceptable ad effective UA policies.
Increasing collaboration between planning schools and community UA initiatives is also
considered as an excellent means of staying in tune with UA practitioners and ameliorating
food planning skills (Pothukuchi and Kaufmann 2000).

Key Findings in Naga City

While the planning department was sympathetic to the needs of farmers, they were also
aware of the need to create enabling circumstances for more progressive agricultural
reforms. An emphasis on the need to institutionalize agriculture via enabling ordinance and
zoning was expressed. The role of UA in social mobilization was not recognized, but a strong
emphasis on economic viability was expressed. Currently, it appears that UA is under-
developed in Naga City, and that there is a disconnect between farmers, planners and
enabling policies.

Key issues
• Lack of knowledge among planners about the preferences and perceptions of those
practicing and affected by UA.
• Need for more interdepartmental communication, understanding and collaboration.
• Need for multi-stakeholder communication, understanding and collaboration.
• Lack of a formalized plan for UA promotion in Naga.

Case Studies
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration in Rosario, Dar es Salaam and Governor Valadares
(Appendix 3), was facilitated by interdisciplinary conferences organized by city
planners. A guide to multi-stakeholder collaboration around UA is also provided in
Appendix 3.

Recommendations
• City planners must promote interdepartmental links (i.e. education, health,
agriculture and environment offices) through informal meetings, or more formalized
interdepartmental workshops and collaborative planning sessions.
• Planners should tap into local knowledge bases, by conducting site visits, facilitating
public discussions and community food assessments, and organizing UA training events.
• Integrate food planning and food policy issues into future planning school
instruction and current planning practices. For instance, professional development
days could be held at local universities, and a credit system employed to ensure that
city planners attend a certain number per year.

1.2.4 Educating the Politicians

The need for UA education to take place in the political realm is significant as this is the main
venue for policy creation and regulation enforcement. If a local government encourages
environmentally sustainable practices, creative means of diversifying farming activities
for increased income generation and local food production chains, farmers tend to
respond in a positive way by adhering to such policies and employing them as a means
strengthen their UA activities and the local economy (Vandermeulen et al 2006). The key
objective is to ensure that politicians and policy makers have various means of learning

- 25 -
about UA practices in order to create the enabling legislation and remain in-touch with
farmers, citizens and planners alike.

Key Findings in Naga City

When asked about the prospects for developing UA in Naga City, officials responded
positively. They noted the significance of UA to economic activity, and mentioned its
contribution to food security. They also emphasized the urgent need to preserve peri-urban
agricultural land from urban encroachment. Nevertheless, important silences were also noted
in the discourses of city officials during interviews or meetings. Few noted the role of UA as a
social empowerment strategy, as well as its impact on environmental protection. While the
significance of large UA endeavours (i.e. demonstration gardens) was also acknowledged, the
development of smaller, more informal UA efforts remained overlooked. Officials also tended
to have a somewhat vague understanding of farmers' experiences and attitudes. When
asked about the issues and constraints faced by farmers in Naga, respondents either denied
the existence of constraints, or simply noted the lack of capital. It appears that UA is not yet
a prevalent issue among officials, which may correspond to exclusionary effects on the part of
small-scale farmers.

Key Issues
• Lack of communication regarding programs and services for farmers.
• Disconnect in goals and perceptions between politicians and local farmers.

Case Studies and Innovations

• Agricultural conferences and community assessments undertaken by local politicians in
Governador Valadares and Rosario (Appendix 2).
• Creation of incentives for landowners to convert vacant lands for UA purposes in
Governador Valadares, through property tax easements (Appendix 2). It also allowed
urban farmers on communal plots to access municipal water for free.
• Promotion of context-specific crop development in Kampala City (Appendix 2): The
government promoted the growth of crops which complement life styles, such as
mushroom farming and chicken rearing for women. It also ensured that all available
information was written in versions of the local language for increased accessibility.

Recommendations
• Politicians must participate in interdepartmental workshops and Professional
Development days.
• Utilize gathered data for action.
• Utilize knowledge of existing policies to enable UA. Policy language is often
confusing and inaccessible. Politicians should inform the public of any policies which
currently enable UA, or advertise incentives which would promote the increased use of
vacant land for UA initiatives.

Education, Training and Extension: Umbrella Recommendations

• Listen, Learn, Collaborate: UA is a holistic practice which requires the participation
of many stakeholders. These can learn from each other through workshops, training
sessions and collaborative hands-on activities. Making use of various skills can
empower and inspire the people who practice them, thus increasing a sense of
community pride, self-confidence and belonging.

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 • Gather and document data in a comprehensive manner: A comprehensive database
must be maintained in order to ensure that UA is fostered and strengthened. Many
international funding agencies require such databases in order to consider funding
applications.

8.4 Marketing and Financial Assistance

Financial and marketing support can make a fundamental difference to poor urban farmers,
increasing incomes and fostering entrepreneurship. Financing UA is much broader than just
the provision of credit to farmers. It includes formal loans, tax incentives, subsidies,
investment in technologies and infrastructure, cooperative formulation and savings schemes
(Mougeot 2005). Moreover, in addition to supporting producers, mechanisms to support
micro-enterprises, food processing and marketing, must also be implemented. While political
support for UA has been steadily increasing, however, financial support for urban growers has
been more limited. Nevertheless, important lessons can be drawn from rural micro-finance
programs, and pioneering UA practices in several cities, which the following section will build
upon.

Key Findings in Naga City

The study team’s research suggested strong political representation for small-scale farmers
and vendors in Naga through Agricultural Committees, the Market Vendors’ Association and
Chamber of Commerce.

The local authority has also succeeded in developing an extensive system of point-of-sale
outlets, from the public market to the decentralised system of satellite markets and small
stores. More specialised venues (i.e. Livestock Auction Market) have been developed to cater
for a variety of needs, and wide accessibility to outlets is guaranteed by flexible rates and
long opening hours.

Significant steps have been taken to rehabilitate the city’s farm-to-market roads and
irrigation facilities and networks. These have generally had a positive impact on producers’
and vendors’ livelihoods, facilitating business activities and guaranteeing longer growing
seasons. However, infrequent transport services means that many producers are unable to
take advantage of the improvements.

Numerous producers have also benefited from the city’s seed and livestock dispersal
programs. Lack of access to credit was identified as the largest constraint facing Naga’s
farmers. This often results in farmer dependence upon loan sharks, rented machinery and/or
child labour. Limited marketing assistance was also highlighted as a barrier facing Naga’s
agricultural producers and vendors. Combined with poor transport facilities and time
constraints, it often ensured their reliance on middlemen, guaranteeing more reliable, but
ultimately less profitable, sales.

Producers’ difficulty in generating income seemed to be perpetuated by a lack of alternative

livelihood strategies. Some of the farmers interviewed were employed as carpenters and
construction workers during the low season, but many described extended periods of
inactivity.

Interviews with city officials suggested an emphasis on export-oriented agricultural policies,

leading to rural crop choices and distribution networks that are leaving urban markets under-

- 27 -
supplied. Finally, the study revealed that dispersion of financial and marketing strategies to
producers varies geographically within the municipal boundary. The producers further from
the urban core seem to benefit less from public schemes than those in central areas, making
them reliant upon training seminars and resources provided by private companies.

Issues
• Need to improve transport services, so that producers can benefit from the city’s
rehabilitated road networks
• Need to improve access to credit to farmers and vendors, to reduce their dependence
on loan sharks, child labour and/or hired equipment
• Need to offer more marketing assistance to farmers and agricultural vendors, to
increase profits, ensure financial stability, and reduce reliance on middlemen
• Need to develop alternative livelihood strategies, as many farmers are inactive during
the low season, particularly in the upper barangays
• Need to extend geographical coverage of marketing and financial programmes

Case Studies
• Business Management Schemes in Hubli-Dharwad, India (Appendix 3): To create new
options for the poor to access markets, the Hubli-Dharwad government focused on
capacity-building through the MOVE (Market Oriented Value Enhancement) program.
Under MOVE, a small group of poor landless peri-urban women were trained in the
basics of setting up and running micro enterprises, and were encouraged to form
cooperatives, in order to share risks and labor.

Innovations
• Normin Veggies marketing strategies, Philippines (Appendix 3). In northern Philippines,
farmers of Normin Veggies have reduced their vulnerability to market fluctuations by
forming an association of marketing clusters, based on farmers’ capability, interest
and capitalization (Concepion et al 2006).
• Agro-tourism initiatives have proved a successful income-generating activity in many
peri-urban areas of Southeast Asia, such as Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Here, the
local authority has promoted agro-tourism through private-public partnerships
(www.tourismthailand.se). Agro-tourism centres have been established, offering
traditional accommodation, farm tours, cookery classes, agricultural classes etc.

Recommendations
• Transport services should be improved
• An association of marketing clusters should be established, similar to that in northern
Philippines (Appendix 3).
• Producers should be given better access to business management and marketing
training courses. This could build upon the knowledge, skills and facilities of Metro
PESO, and should focus on more dislocated farming families.
• The critical contribution of women to farming household economic should be
strengthened, and their horizons widened through SME development training and
more focused loan schemes.
• Emphasis should be placed on providing training for alternative job opportunities,
with a focus on higher level skills such as computing, mechanics and electricity. Agro-
tourist enterprises could be another source of investment and job creation in more
remote communities.

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 • Appropriate financing schemes should be provided, based on the type of UA system.
The socio-economic survey mentioned previously should offer understanding of the
different types of UA in Naga, in order to aid selection of appropriate financing
mechanisms. Evolving credit schemes may be particularly effective in Naga. An
introduction to evolving credit schemes is detailed in Appendix 3.
• Cooperative should be promoted and strengthened, with the support of NGOs and
local banking institutions.
• Tax incentives, price supports and fixed contracts with state distribution chains
should be implemented to encourage more localised food systems. Farmer groups,
for instance, could work with local agencies to obtain fixed preferential contracts for
school-lunch programs, hospitals, cafeterias etc.

8.5 Managing Growth: Land Use Planning and Supportive Policy Frameworks for
Implementation

The practice of farming in cities faces both inadvertent and deliberately-imposed constraints,
specifically related to land (Quon 1999). Practicing planners play a key role in identifying
strategies for development of the lands in their communities (Campbell 2004). In that
regard, city planners should pro-actively create strategic land-use and development plans to
promote UA (Campbell 2004). It is important to recognize that even the most creative UA
plans will not translate into action on their own. Successful implementation of UA plans
requires the policy framework and enabling legislation designed to realize stated UA goals.

Urban planners can facilitate and support UA through effective community land use planning.
These constraints can be linked directly or indirectly to planning and management
interventions in urban and peri-urban areas, and consequently fall within the jurisdiction of
urban planners and managers (Quon 1999). To reconcile the needs posed by urban growth
with the needs for activities of high economic and social value, UA should be included in
urban development plans and regulated by municipalities (Cabannes and Debbeling 2003).

The following section provides a strategic approach to the development of a land

management component of Naga’s future UA program. Before creating comprehensive land
use and growth management plans, the city must intimately understand the condition of its
jurisdictional lands in terms availability, accessibility and usability. This data will inform
decisions planners make regarding the specific use and management of city lands. Once a
comprehensive plan for land use has been formulated, the planner must turn the plan into
action. This requires the planner to be proactive in the development of policies and
regulations that implement the goals and objectives of the UA plan.

8.5.1 Land Availability, Accessibility and Usability

Before urban planners can effectively develop plans for land use management, other issues
and opportunities regarding land must be recognized. Land is a crucial factor for many UA
horticultural and cropping activities (Quon 1999). Issues of availability, access and usability
are seen as critical to the contributions land may be able to make to UA security and to the
livelihood composition of the urban poor (Quon 1999).

AVAILABILITY

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A major challenge to the viability of UA is land availability. UA is influenced by rapidly
changing land rights, uses, and values (FAO n.d.). High population densities give rise to
competition and conflicts over land and natural resources through conversion of land from
agricultural to residential and business uses, and agricultural intensification on the scarce
spaces available for cultivation (FAO n.d.)

ACCESSABILITY
Access to land is one of the most, if not the most, significant constraint to urban farmers
(Quon 1999). Therefore, it is important to distinguish access to land from the availability of
land. Land may be available or present in a city but not accessible to farmers because of
political or social constraints to its use or redistribution (Quon1999). Looming over many
urban farmers, both men and women, is the constant threat of losing access to their plot and
being forced to stop production activities, therefore substantial UA investments often occur
on very insecure holdings (FAO n.d.).

Inequitable land distribution systems, ingrained resistance to farming in cities, or planning

policies and legislation that make UA an illegal land use can all prevent farmers' access to
land (Quon 1999). In some communities, discrimination based on gender may prevent equal
access by women and men to land, credit or financing opportunities. There may be socio-
cultural restrictions on who can own or use land, and different kinds of land tenures
available. Land access may be further constrained by missing or inaccurate records of who
uses or has the right to use particular plots (Quon 1999).
USABILITY

The inherent qualities of a plot of land, and the facilities and services available to it,
determine whether parcels of land that are otherwise both available and accessible can be
used for farming (Quon 1999). A plot's biophysical characteristics (soil, hydrology or
microclimate), or physical dimensions (size, shape, location) may make it unfit for agriculture
(Quon 1999). A plot may be available to farmers only for a short amount of time, therefore
constraining what kinds of agricultural activities can occur on the site, and what technologies
might be applicable to the site. Services, such as water for irrigation, and inputs or market
facilities, transportation infrastructure both for export and for farmers' access are external
factors that can determine a plot's usability (Quon 1999). Agriculture in urban areas suffers
greater ecological and economic pressures than rural agriculture, requiring more intensive
and better controlled production to stay competitive and safe (Quon 1999). Without inputs or
technology, farming small urban spaces may simply not be economical or worthwhile (Quon
1999).

Key Findings in Naga City

At a glance, Naga City appears to have no shortage in vacant or undeveloped land supply
(see Photo 2). However, deeper analysis of the land situation in Naga reveals that the city is
not exempt from issues surrounding land in terms of: availability, accessibility and usability.

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Photo 2: Idle land in Naga City’s CBD 1. The land was used as a community garden, before
the private landowner’s priorities shifted.

Based on a review of the CLUP (2000), there are no stated goals, objectives or
recommendations related to permanent protection of AG lands. The plan clearly states that
city lands have been converted to other uses, but does not address a long-term solution to
prevent future conversion or loss of prime AG lands:

At present, the total existing agricultural area is 5,709.05 hectares. However, some
areas can be converted to other uses based on the proposed land use plan of the
city. It can be noted that in 1998 total agricultural area was 6,325.28 hectares as
shown in Table 2.70 on page 73. As compared to 1999 data, a decrease of 616.23
hectares in use can be seen; this is because of its conversion to other uses (CLUP,
2000).

Such observations made by the city imply that land availability issues should be at the center
of current and future land use planning and development discussions. It should be mentioned
that recognition of such land issues as related to the land use plan are timely due to a current
update of the 2000 plan being undertaken by the city planning staff for 2007 completion.

Land issues identified in the CLUP (2000) prompted the research team to undertake an
investigation of the policies and regulations in place to guide land use. In particular, City of
Naga - Ordinance No. 97-06-50 prescribes the policies, conditions and guidelines for the
reclassification of AG lands (City of Naga 1997). It was determined by the researchers that
the ordinance’s specification that DAR (AG) classified lands may not be reclassified from AG
to another use is a positive step towards AG land protection. However, it was also recognized
that an opportunity exists to enhance the ideas and concepts of such land protection.

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Similarly, City of Naga – Ordinance NO. 2006-035, an ordinance recently adopted by the city,
may complicate permanent protection of AG lands. The ordinance encourages the utilization
of vacant lands for purposes to benefit the economic growth and development of the city.
Without specific UA land use designation, the concern is that idle lands suitable for UA may
struggle to compete with other uses viewed by the city as key economic generators, i.e.
commercial or residential uses. Recognizing the many benefits of UA, the city must be more
proactive and strategic in protecting lands suitable for UA ensure food security and
sustainable development.

Issues
• Need to establish a mechanism (plans, policies, regulations) to protect AG lands from
development
• Current CLUP identifies the rate of land conversion from AG to other uses, but does
not identify AG land protection as a stated goal or objective
• Current ordinances may facilitate the conversion of AG lands to other uses

Recommendations
• Once the idle, vacant lands suitable for UA in Naga City have been identified, those
lands owned by the municipality should be given top priority for UA classification
• In the case where the lands are privately owned, a different strategy to procure or
protect the land is recommended. Several identified options available to the city are:
- Purchasing the lands from the owner
- Defining land taxation and tax exemptions
- Private, group and cooperative land ownership
- Municipal education and outreach programs to engage private land owners in
community UA efforts
• Municipal Councils or Chambers should approve a series of access laws and
regulations together with land use plans (Cabannes and Debbeling 2003). This should
be an initial step to create a legal framework that facilitates UA (Cabannes and
Debbeling 2003).
• Land and spaces under cultivation (including bodies of water) should be registered.
GIS should be used for registration purposes, for improving land use monitoring and
evaluation activities and as a basis for a transparent taxation system (Cabannes and
Debbeling 2003). See Dar es Salaam case study (Appendix 2).
• Transfer land titles should be issued for temporary use. A key element of a
facilitating framework is to allow access to lands suitable for UA or to bodies of water
(for fish farming) under land tenure arrangements (Cabannes and Debbeling 2003).
While land tenure does not mean automatic land ownership, it is beneficial in that it
encourages producers to invest and modernize (first cultivation, etc.) (Cabannes and
Debbeling 2003). Guarantees of land tenure rights can take the form of “leases” for
institutional and public spaces, renewable for 8- to 10-year periods. Issuing of land
titles also provides the government with a clear mandate for changing land use
according to urban and public needs (Cabannes and Debbeling 2003).

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8.5.2 Land use planning, policy and regulations: the integration of Urban Agriculture into
urban planning

Distinct policies and planning efforts are needed for the management of agriculture,
horticulture, forestry and fisheries in the urban and peri-urban environments (FAO n.d.).
Through implementation of strategic land use plans, urban planners can effectively restrict
urban sprawl by directing city growth towards the urban core (i.e. the city grows upwards
versus expanding outwards). Implementation of such effective growth management
facilitates the protection of peri-urban agricultural zones within its margins.

Planners implement municipal land use plans using various planning tools, or "plan-
implementing programs" (Mougeot 2005), which "act as an interface between the policies of
the plan and the aims of those who make decisions that transform the physical environment"
(Mougeot 2005). Because private land owners have certain rights in the use of their own land,
planners most often use indirect measures to achieve a desired pattern of land use in areas
predominated by private land, permitting some things and forbidding others (Mougeot 2005).
Such indirect tools are: land-use controls over private land, such as zoning and zoning by-
laws, supported by urban land databases and urban baseline studies (Mougeot 2005).

Most municipalities either have city development structure plans, strategic plans or city
development strategies, but most of these plans fail to take UA into account. The policy
instrument that can be used to achieve the objective of integrating UA into urban land use
planning is urban land use zoning (Takawira and Shingirayi 2006).

Furthermore, municipalities have the power to specify or formulate development policies

through by-laws. As policy-making bodies, municipalities determine and shape the process of
development at the local level. It is therefore within the ambit of municipalities to promote
or prohibit UA (van Veenhuizen 2006).

While planners primarily use indirect, regulatory measures to develop a desired land use
pattern in areas where urban land is most privately owned, direct and institutional measures
merit some mention (Quon 1999). Municipalities could, for example, allow undeveloped land
to be used for UA, subject to negotiation between the owner and the user. Further,
municipalities have the option of promoting multifunctional land use (Quon 1999). This could
be done through encouraging community participation in the management of open spaces,
where food can be grown in combination with other urban functions such as recreation and
city greening (Quon 1999).

Key findings in Naga

An analysis of current land use planning and management practices in Naga City reveal key
findings intended to benefit the city planning staff as they undertake their CLUP 2000 plan
update. The findings provided in the following section focus on land management, but
specifically discuss: current lack of agricultural land designation in the city center (urban
core), possible expansion of current GIS and a need to address agriculture’s broad
implications for planning the future of Naga.

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In the CLUP (2000), the overall land use scheme presented fails to identify agriculturally
productive lands in the city center, or urban core, of Naga. As seen in Map 2, all productive
crop lands are designated on the peri-urban fringe and extending outwards from the city core.
This land use allocation presents several key issues when compared to the growth rates and
identified food security needs for a healthy, sustainable Naga. As Naga continues to grow and
develop, it must proactively and strategically utilize its urban core for UA purposes. A growth
management strategy that neglects food security issues will perpetuate Naga’s dependency
on others to meet its community food demands:

Our city will need more production on crops to meet the demands on food
requirements for the next five (5) years. This goes to show that in addition to our
own crop production, we will definitely need to import more crop produce from our
neighboring agricultural towns to maintain the demand-supply gap on food
requirement of our people (CLUP, 2000).

Making strategic land use management decisions can be facilitated by expansion of the city’s
already existing GIS. This asset can be expanded to address the current fragmentation of
spatial information (area or amount of land) and attribute information (value of land,
taxation data and ownership data). This disconnect in information can complicate land
analysis processes necessary to inform long term land use and management decisions.

In the CLUP (2000), the placement of agricultural land use in the economic sector is
problematic. This categorization indicates that all plans, policies and enabling legislation are
designed strictly from the perspective of agri-business development in the city. This
perspective presents challenges to addressing Naga’s identified food security needs and to
Naga’s overall sustainable development. Simply stated, AG issues are much broader than
strictly economic development. Equally important are social and environmental implications
that lack necessary attention in the CLUP (2000).

Issues
• Lack of data available to conduct assessment necessary to understand the role of UA in
an overall land use scheme (e.g. a land suitability analysis)
• Need for a growth management strategy recognizing the role UA plays in effectively
directing growth and development towards the city core
• Current land use plan does not designate lands for UA. A lack of specific
• Designation makes UA lands vulnerable to development
• Currently agricultural lands fall under the economic sector of the CLUP 2000. This
categorization may limit agriculture’s broader implications for planning

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Map 2. Cropzone Map. Source: CLUP (2000).

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Innovations
ƒ Guidelines for Municipal Policymaking on UA: The Regulatory Framework
(Appendix 3). UA should be included in both municipal and sub-municipal or
district land use plans. It is recommended that the land use plans be strategic
and the regulations necessary for implementation be included in the city's legal
system. Sample guidelines for municipal policy making on UA are included in
the Innovations Appendix (Appendix 3).
Recommendations
ƒ Creation of a municipal greenbelt with designated areas for UA (Appendix 3).
A “Naga City Greenbelt” will form an "urban growth boundary” capable of
containing growth in the urban core whereby prohibiting the typical sprawling
patterns of urban development. Within the greenbelt a certain percentage of
land should be designated for UA to support long-term food security for the
municipality. Decisions for infrastructure expansion (i.e. roads, sewer, water,
etc) should be concentrated within the greenbelt so growth does not have the
ease of jumping over the belt and encroaching on the peri-urban agricultural
lands. Such growth management decisions should be indicated in the CLUP
(2007) and development strategies and policies to support the greenbelt should
be devised. Planning tools such as: infill development, mixed land use,
compact development, subdivision regulations, etc. can be effectively utilized
to maintain a successful “Naga City Greenbelt.”
ƒ Inclusion of UA in Municipal Land Use Regulations (Appendix 3). UA should be
included in both municipal and sub-municipal or district land use plans. Lands
designated for UA should have corresponding, specific development regulations
to guide how the lands will be cultivated or utilized for agricultural production
(Cabannes and Debbeling 2003). Supportive by-laws should facilitate UA
development and be sensitive to nuisance laws. For example, by-laws and
regulations should contain strategies for the placement of crops and livestock
rearing that may be disruptive or place stress on adjacent land uses (e.g.
residential or commercial).

9.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations outlined in the previous section aim to build upon various assets
currently present in Naga. While specific recommendations were made for respective
program components, many touch upon similar issues, or employ similar strategies to
foster the development of a showcase UA system in Naga City. The holistic nature of
UA is manifested in these suggestions through their interconnections and ability to link
programs and stakeholders which would not be considered as similar in other systems
or contexts. In order to address recommendation similarities a matrix was created
(Table 2 below), which illustrates the connections between key suggestions and the
programs to which they adhere. It is hoped that this matrix will be employed as a
quick reference to potentially guide future actions, illustrate the important program
links, and contribute to the holistic nature of UA and the processes galvanizing its
growth in Naga city.

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Recommendation Programs
Marketing
Institutionalization Agricultural Education Education Education Education Land Use
and
of UA R and D (Farmers) (Public) (Planners) (Politicians) Management
Finance
Multi-Stakeholder
Process
Community
Assessment
Data Collection
GIS Mapping (ID of
Idle Lands)
Asset Mapping
Planning and
Policy Making
Collaboration with
Academic
Institutions and
Schools
Round Tables,
Conferences and
Workshops
(Information
Dissemination)
Technology
Development and
Capacity Building
Promotion of
Sustainable
Development
Methods

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 Enabling of Strong
Local Economies
Increase
Awareness of UA
in Public Realm
UA Based Job
Training
Integrate UA into
Land Use Plans
Creation of Legal
Framework for UA
Facilitation
Make Use of Naga
City’s Assets

Table 2: Recommendation Matrix for Suggested Program Components for UA in Naga City.

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10.0 CONCLUSION

UA’s positive influences on urban and peri-urban landscapes are holistic and far
reaching: poverty alleviation, food security, environmental sustainability, health
promotion, social justice and strengthened local economies, to name a few.
Underlying and fostering these benefits are the vital supporting components of
enabling and institutionally enforced policies and regulations. When such mechanisms
are informed by local people and supported by local governments a framework for UA
success is in place and can begin to grow.

Naga City rests on the brink of such success. By making use of its many political,
environmental, and socio-economic assets, it is in an excellent position to truly
support a world-class UA system. Instead of waiting until food security issues increase,
the city should tap into the vast amount of local agricultural knowledge, capitalize on
the suitable agricultural conditions and vacant lands, and acknowledge the informal
UA initiatives already in place in the city.

Upon completion of the research, a clear picture of Naga’s central role as a UA

showcase city became clear. The potential rests in the people, the government and
the UA practices already in place. What is now required is the institutionalization of
supports which can enable this potential to take root and flourish.

To conclude, we would like to suggest a possible project, “The Naga Farming School”,
which will assist in cultivating a healthy and sustainable UA system in Naga.

“The Naga Farming School”: A Collaborative Multi-Stakeholder Pilot Project

An excellent means for generating discussion and collaboration around UA would

be through the design, planning and construction of a Naga Farming School. The
school would be a pilot project, showcasing all components of an ideal UA
initiative in Naga City. The school itself would comprise of a multipurpose building
with attached communal gardening plot. Ideally, the site would be on rehabilitated
vacant lands which were given over to UA through landowner incentives and
enabling policies. The design and planning of the site would take place through
collaborative processes between all stakeholders, thus showcasing the city’s ability
to listen to all voices and value the knowledge of local people. The garden plots
could demonstrate chemical free technologies, act as venues for workshops, and
be run by local urban farmers or trained out of school youth. The multi purpose
building could be the site for information sessions, workshops, classes, drop-ins,
community dinners, cottage industry markets and festivals. The multi-purpose
building could also serve as a site for technologies such as vertical gardening,
container planting, roof-top gardening, water recycling (rain barrels, etc), and
education information associated with these. Health and environmental workshops
could also be held here as a means of providing a holistic view of UA and helping
the community see the connections between healthy food, healthy bodies and
sustainable agriculture. Finally, the centre itself could me constructed for local
materials in order to support local industries and promote sustainability to a wider
audience.

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The Stop Community Food Centre. 2004. The Stop Community Food Centre, Toronto
Ontario. http://www.thestop.org/index.php. Accessed on June 3, 2007.

Tourism Authority of Thailand. 2007.

http://www.tourismthailand.se/about_thai/special_agr1.htm. Accessed June 4, 2006.

UC Davis. 2007. The Student Farm: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
http://studentfarm.ucdavis.edu/ Accessed on June 1, 2007.

van Veenhuizen, R. (Ed.). 2006. CITIES FARMING FOR THE FUTURE: Urban Agriculture
for Green and Productive Cities. International Development Research Center
Publications.

Vandermeulen, V., Verspecht, A., Van Huylanbroek, G., Meert, H., Boulanger, A., Van
Hecke, E. 2005. The importance of the institutional environment on multifunctional
farming systems in the peri-urban area of Brussels. Land Use Policy 23, 486-501.

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Author Biographies

Ms. Kathryn (Kat) M. Hill

Kathryn Hill graduated from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom in 2005,
with a BSc in Geography. As an undergraduate she specialised in environmental
change, international development and resource management, and so enjoyed her
studies that she decided to pursue geography at postgraduate level. Following a year
working in local government, Kathryn crossed the ocean to commence a Masters
Degree in Human Geography at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Throughout the first year of her course, Kathryn completed courses in social theory,
international development, environmental sustainability and gender studies. She
travelled to Naga City in 2007 not only to undertake the studio course, but also her
thesis research, which focuses on the impacts of the agrarian transition on women’s
livelihoods. After completing her degree Kathryn hopes to move into international
development, working for a development agency or NGO.

Ms. Kaitlin P. Kazmierowski

Born and raised in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, Kaitlin Kazmierowski always loved
good food. In 2005, upon her completion of a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the
University of Guelph, Kaitlin took part in a seven month internship on an organic farm
and realized that her love for food had grown into an outright passion for all food
related activities including food security and food systems planning. Upon
commencement of her Master degree at the University of British Columbia’s School of
Community and Regional Planning, Kaitlin has taken up the cause of farmland
conservation and gets very excited when anyone mentions “New Ruralism”. Kaitlin’s
decision to come to the Philippines was fueled equally by her desire to research UA,
her interest in participatory governance and her inability to stop traveling.

Ms. Kathryn D. (Dee Dee) Quinnelly

Ms. Quinnelly is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Community and Regional
Planning at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Her current
research interests focus on urban development and design, specifically how policies
shape the aesthetics of the built environment. Before entering UBC, Ms. Quinnelly
received her B.Sc. in Community and Regional Planning from Appalachian State
University in Boone, North Carolina, United States of America. This led her to her most
recent position of four years employed as a Senior Planner for the Georgia Department
of Community Affairs – Office of Planning and Quality Growth. Her decision to pursue
the Naga City Planning Studio Course was driven by her desire to utilize and broadened
her practical planning skills and to contribute to academic planning research. Urban
agriculture in Naga was of particular interest to determine how planning and policy
affects the relationship of aesthetics in built and natural environments (i.e. gardens,
open spaces and farmlands).

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Appendix 1: Research Notes

Stakeholder Research Findings

Farmers: Focus groups and interviews were • Lack of access to credit and land
conducted with over 40 farmers in Pacol, insecurity are the biggest constraints
Carolina, San Felipe and Panicuason. facing farmers. Most farmers had little
access to land, and instead worked as
tenants for more wealthy landowners.
• Limited access to education and training
workshops is also a constraint. Several of
the farmers had benefited from
workshops organized by international
agricultural organizations (i.e.
Monsanto), but had subsequently become
dependent upon the companies for their
agricultural supplies.
• Poor transport services was also
highlighted as a constraint facing
farmers. It was noted that in the more
remote barangays only two or three
jeepney services run per day, severely
restricting producers’ ability to access
markets, exchange skills and information
etc.
• Unequal gender roles and responsibilities
characterize agricultural production in
Naga. Female farmers spoke of heavy
workloads and a lack of support from
their spouses.
• Out-migration is a concern. Many farmers
spoke of the exodus of young people,
lack of confidence among farmers, and
desire to move out of farming to pursue
less financially-constraining pursuits.

Market Vendors: Semi-structured interviews • Strong political representation exists for

were conducted with stallholders and vendors vendors through the Market Vendors
in Naga City’s public and satellite markets. Association.
• Lack of capital continues to constrain
market vendors, prohibiting
diversification and reducing profits.

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 • Limited marketing assistance was also
highlighted as problematic.
• The presence of “foreign” (i.e. Chinese,
Taiwanese) middlemen in the producer-
consumer chain was noted as a particular
concern. Many stallholders made
reference to large losses in profit, but
argued that time constraints, familial
responsibilities and poor transport
services restricted their ability to buy
produce directly.
• Many vendors relied upon loan sharks,
and admitted to regularly falling behind
with loan repayments.
• There was reluctance to join
cooperatives, due to concerns about
corruption and mis-management
• Apathy and lack of self-esteem
characterized conversations with vendors,
indicating a severe need for capacity-
building.

City Officials: Semi-structured interviews • The lack of institutionalization of UA was

were conducted with city officials in the acknowledged as problematic by all
planning, agriculture and environment officials. Many officials expressed
departments. concern that agricultural reform had been
overlooked in Naga’s previous planning
and policy reforms. Officials made
reference to unsupportive land
management mechanisms (idle lands and
land conversion legislation) and the lack
of integration of UA into the municipal
development plan.
• Officials were acutely aware of the need
to develop UA in Naga, and promote more
environmentally sustainable agricultural
practices, through organic farming and
technology development. Beyond
technology development, however, the
agricultural staff showed limited
understanding of the macro-level
interventions required to strengthen the
farming system.
• The need to coordinate and foster
cooperation and information-sharing
between different department and levels
of government was highlighted in the
interviews.
• Naga’s piecemeal approach to UA and

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 lack of visionary leadership in the
agricultural sector was identified as an
important constraint.
• Lack of access to funding was also singled
out as a prohibitive factor. Agricultural
staff expressed interest at forging
partnerships with NGOs and external
research institutions, but seemed to lack
the necessary know-how. The lack of
proposal-writing skills was noted as a
particular constraint.
• Lack of computerised systems, databases
and GIS technology was also identified by
the researchers as problematic, severely
inhibiting data analysis.

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Appendix 2: Case Studies

Rosario, Argentina

Launched in 2002, Rosario’s “Program de Agricultura Urbana” (PAU) was initially

started in order to serve as an emergency food source during times of economic crisis
(Guenette 2006). The PAU was started by the municipal government of Rosario, using
the results of research supported by Canada’s International Development Research
Centre (IDRC) and UN- HABITAT’s Urban Management Program (UMP) which
coordinated the project. The PAU teamed up with local NGOs, the Centro de Estudios
Producciones Agroecologicas (CEPAR-centre for the study of agroecological production)
and Pro Huerta, a national program which supports family gardens. As the program
grew, several other organizations became involved such as Jefas y Jefas de Hogar
Desocupados (unemployed heads of households plan), a nationally supported plan
which pays 150 pesos (roughly $50 US) per month to participants on the condition that
they participate in some sort of labour, community work, schooling or training. Also,
other participants included the Servicio Publico de la Vivienda (SPV- public housing
service), Centro de Estudios del Ambiente Humano (CEAH- human environments
studies centre), the National University of Rosario, city planners and the University of
McGill’s Minimum Cost Housing Group.

The effort to address the initial issue of food security during times of economic crises
began as a food donation program coupled with organic gardening classes. Those who
attended the classes passed their knowledge onto other community members;
however, classes soon became too full as UA became increasingly popular due to its
ability to give people real hope. The “Jefas” program proved successful as many
participants opted to participate in UA activities. Soon there were 800 gardening
groups in the city.

In order to integrate UA into urban planning, project partners and the city
collaborated to assess suitable vacant lands by using aerial photos, databases from the
land registry, and information provided by urban farmer workshops. This exercise
allowed the barriers in communication between municipal officials and project
partners to be broken down via interdepartmental workshops. Land was eventually
loaned to urban farmers, and in 2004 the mayor approved a new regulation which
formalized the temporary cession of property for UA. In addition, the mayor put PAU
in charge of the database which controls the use of vacant land for farming.

Following another severe economic crisis, roughly 600 UA groups remained in Rosario,
and it was decided that in order to ensure UA as a source of employment and a means
for poverty reduction, farmers would have to produce more, sell more and add value
to their products. In 2003 the PAU created seven weekly markets in different parts of
the city. It provided vendors with distinctive canopies, tablecloths and baskets, in

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order to identify them as local urban producers and increase public awareness
regarding UA.

Several important outcomes have come from the PAU’s actions. Many cottage
industries have appeared, and the PAU has constructed a small factory for local
natural cosmetic and vegetable processing enterprises; small companies which use the
products of local urban farmers. Increasing amounts of land (especially lands along
railways, roads and streams) have been converted to UA uses, and the PAU has begun
digging wells for UA use. In addition, the PAU has begun creating “garden parks”;
gardens found within the boundaries of protected parklands, often designed to include
recreational and environmental education areas. Local gardeners were integral to the
design of several garden parks.

In 2004 the PAU received the Dubai Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living
Environment. The US $30 000 prize was used to buy a small tractor and a multi-use
plough. The PAU also received funding from Italy’s International Institute for Economic
Development to market cottage industry products.

Governador Valadores, Brazil

In 2003, a project supported by IDRC and UN-HABITAT was initiated to identify plots of
land for potential agricultural use in the city of Gorvernador Valadores (Guenette
2006). Other key players in this project included the municipal government, the
Universidad Vale Do Rio Doce, and several local community organizations. This
initiative had been spurred by many requests from local community groups for
community garden support from local officials. In 2001, the authorities responded by
installing water outlets in 12 communal gardens, but a true commitment to UA began
when the city became involved in the IRDC-supported project.

In order to address the issue of poverty via UA, researchers used GIS to identify vacant
plots suitable for agricultural production and discovered that in some neighborhoods,
vacant plots out numbered those in use. Local community groups discussed potential
policies that would enable UA in the city, and in 2004, the municipal government
acted upon their recommendations by reducing property tax by up to 3% on lots given
over to UA for a minimum of two years. In addition, it exempted those participating in
UA on communal lots from paying for water. A new UA training program began in order
to educate gardeners in chemical-free growing techniques while providing materials
for fencing and cultivation. The municipal government has also added UA to the city’s
master development plan in order to foster its growth and ensure that UA remained an
integral part of the urban environment.

There are currently over 50 community gardens now in operation, and it is estimated
that these benefit over 3, 500 local people. Gardens have become incorporated into
social housing developments, day cares, schools and community centres. These
gardens are integral for outlying low-income neighborhoods where bus fare is needed
to access public markets and local stores only sporadically carry fresh produce.

In order to weather a change in political power (a new mayor who was un-supportive
of UA initiatives came into power in late 2004), several key organizations have taken
up the UA cause, allowing it to benefit an increasing number of residents and become

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further integrated into various social movements. The Catholic Church has promoted
UA through its campaign to improve children’s’ nutrition, and the Associacao das
Hortas Comunitarias (AuHcomut- community gardens association) has emerged as a
representative body for most communal gardeners. Through AuHcomut, gardeners
request materials and tools from the municipality, and are given rented space at the
local market. The association has also secured some funding from the Banco do Brazil
foundation to build 13 small greenhouses in the city. AuHcomut, along with other UA
supporters coordinate their efforts in the IDRC-supported “Forum for Urban Agriculture
and Food Security”, which initially brought key players together to assess available
vacant lands and design UA policies in 2003, but which now meets in order to derive
new ways of promoting and supporting UA, enabling access to UA information for the
public, and organizing city-wide meetings for urban gardeners to discuss future plans.

Despite the fact that the city is currently being operated by an un-supportive
government, there has been a movement within the municipal offices to involve more
departments such as Health, Education and Public Works in the Urban Agriculture
Program.

The Stop Community Food Centre, Toronto, Canada (www.thestop.org/index.php.)

Started in the basement of a church in downtown Toronto as a centre for food

distribution to low income residents, The Stop has grown into a fully operational and
diverse community food security centre, with interdisciplinary programs operating on
the premise that food access and security are basic human rights (Levkoe 2006). An
NGO which works collaboratively with the City of Toronto Department of Parks,
Recreation and Forestry, The Stop offers a variety of programs including community
garden space, teaching gardens, medicinal gardens, a community oven, community
kitchen, a food bank, and focuses on education and bringing people of various
backgrounds together through food democracy and ecological farming techniques. In
the past year The Stop recorded:

• 16,500 people used the centre to access food, information and advocacy as
well as social and recreational activities
• 31,500 healthy meals were served through its community kitchens and drop-in
cafe
• 204,000 meals were prepared for food bank users
• 2,400 pounds of fresh organic produce were harvested in its 8,000 - square-foot
community garden and greenhouse

The Stop aims to challenge the “charity food model” by promoting involvement by all
community members in their local food system, thus fostering food democracy, dignity
and security. The Stop has many significant and ground breaking programs, and strives
to create a democratic environment through the creation of a garden advisory
committee, the hiring of community members, creating anti-harassment policies,
organizing regular evaluation, planning and feedback sessions, and collective decision
making.

The Stop’s focus on participation as a means of maintaining dignity while accessing

emergency food sources is also prevalent in its strong emphasis on community
education. The Stop offers pre and post-natal nutrition programs for low income

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mothers and as well as family nutrition programs which include free consultation with
a public health nurse, free day-care, food vouchers, healthy snacks and workshops and
information sessions. Children’s education programs are also offered, and The Stop has
developed food security-focused curricula for elementary and high school aged
children which have been implemented in several schools in the city. Other programs
offered at The Stop include:

• The Green Barn: an abandoned streetcar barn and industrial site which will be
transformed into a community garden, a park, and education centre,
community kitchen, outdoor oven and artists’ space by 2008.
• Community Kitchen Drop-In: several cooking programs located throughout the
city which not only teach cooking skills, but also the importance of healthy
foods, how to cook seasonally and in a culturally sensitive manner, and how to
eat healthy on a low-budget.
• Drop-In: the drop-in is open to anyone for a meal as well as other services such
as free local phone calls, housing service information, workshops, community
information on local services and programs, creative arts, settlement worker
services, and housing advocate services.

The Stop is funded by private donation and well and through the municipal
government, and it relies heavily upon volunteers to carry-out its operations. It is
highly organized (The Stop has a strategic plan for 2006-2011), and keeps a
comprehensive record of who it is benefiting in order to continue to ameliorate its
services in an effective manner. The Stop has recently been awarded the “Green
Toronto Award of Excellence” in the category of Environmental Awareness.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The city of Dar es Salaam (Dar), Tanzania continues to experience incremental

progress towards achieving food security. Compelling research and quiet advocacy
contribute to the recognition of the role of UA in supplying food, creating employment
and generating income for the people of Dar (Conway 2006). Perhaps one of the most
critical features in the success of UA in Dar is a citizenry actively involved and
supportive of UA. Specifically, Dar has been effective in implementation of the
following components of UA:
• Sustainable Dar es Salaam Project (SDP) - led to the development of a strategic
development plan and policies for integrating UA into city land management
• GIS development - utilization of GIS technology facilitated a community
assessment and inventory of land suitable for UA
• Garden Revival - successful implementation of a project to revitalize urban
garden centers

Sustainable Dar es Salaam Project (SDP)

In 1992, the city of Dar Es Salaam adopted the Environmental Planning and
Management (EPM) approach in its City Consultation. This new approach has been
the engine of change in many aspects related to urban agriculture. Under this new
approach, the city held a mini-consultation in 1993 to deliberate on agriculture
(van Veenhuizen 2006). In the consultation, stakeholders agreed that agriculture in
the city contributed substantially (almost 30 percent) in household food supplies

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and that it had become an integral part of urban livelihood strategies (van
Veenhuizen 2006).

As a result of the consultation, a Working Group was formed to work out strategies
for putting urban agriculture on the city agenda. The Working Group used a
participatory approach to come up with a strategic plan on urban agriculture for
the city. The proactive Work Group prepared a plan, implemented demonstration
projects and further integrated agriculture into the city's urban zoning (van
Veenhuizen 2006). As reflected in the Strategic Urban Development Plan (SUDP),
the Work Group determined where and to what extent agriculture should be
practiced in the city (van Veenhuizen 2006).

In the SUDP, special land zones have been designated for agriculture. The SUDP
also has deliberately set apart several areas to be used for large- and medium-
scale urban agriculture in the future and gives corresponding development
conditions (van Veenhuizen 2006). This is contrary to Dar’s 1978 Master Plan that
considered UA as a transitional land use (Conway 2006). Since the SUDP considers
UA to be an important activity contributing to the welfare of its citizens,
designated lands receive a level of protection from the transition to other land
uses. Recognition of the level of importance of these lands is also reflected in
several laws and regulations, among them are the Agricultural and Livestock Policy
(1997) and the National Human Settlements Development Policy (Jan 2000) (van
Veenhuizen 2006).

Development of GIS in Dar

With the financial and research assistance of the IDRC, a methodology for mapping
vegetable production on open spaces (over 1,000m2) has been successfully
implemented in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Dongus and Dresher 2001). The mapping
procedure comprised an analysis of aerial imagery, mapping in the field, and
integration of the results into a GIS.

According to Dongus and Dresher, the following advantages of using GIS proved
most useful:
• Visualization of spatial data, particularly the distribution of agricultural open
spaces in a city
• Possibility for data overlay in order to investigate relations with various
relevant factors, e.g. designated land use, irrigation water quality,
socioeconomic variables etc
• Potential for updating digital maps in the future, and extension to a greater
range of topics and layers

Integrated in local government and planning processes, the GIS database has:
• contributed to raised public awareness on the situation of urban farmers;
• helped to improve extension services;
• supported town planners in planning analysis (Dongus and Dresher, 2001).

Garden Revival
To address the dilapidated state of Dar’s horticulture gardens, Agriproject
Foundation Department of sub-Saharan Africa or STOAS International, was charged
with reviving city garden lands and negotiating the sale of the gardens by city

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 council to the garden employees (Conway 2006). While the goal to privatize the
land was not reached, STOAS successfully employed local women and children to
revive the garden lands. Involving local women and children fostered a spirit of
stewardship and empowerment. Dar has been referred to as “a city of
entrepreneurs” and the Garden Revival is a true reflection of the claim (Conway
2006). Approximately 30 women and children worked to rebuild water systems,
erect fences, plant trees and grow crops (Conway 2006). The public process
utilized in the Garden Revival was key in providing the community ownership
necessary to achieve long-term results. To this day, four of the seven garden sites
are still in operation (Conway 2006).

Kampala, Uganda

Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, has a population of 1.5 million (Dobyn 2004).
Farming in the city began in the mid-1970s, in the wake of the Amin regime’s
“economic war”. Crises, disruption, and unstable economic conditions mark the
practice of UA as a survival strategy in Kampala. Until recently the activity was
technically illegal, but the passing of an ordinance to legalize farming activities in
2004 signalled its increasing integration and significance on the city’s landscape
(Conway 2006). An estimated 35% of households in the entire city are now involved in
agriculture. Kampala has been particularly successful at implementing the following
components:

• Kampala Urban Food Security, Agriculture and Livestock Coordinating

Committee (KUFSALCC) – provides a voice for urban farmers, and
coordinates development activities, research, and advocacy.

• Participatory Technology Development (PTD) – allows for producer input in

the design, development and implementation of technological innovations.

Kampala Urban Food Security, Agriculture and Livestock Coordinating Committee

KUFSALCC was formed in 2004 and draws its membership from local NGOs, the
Kampala City Council, the Ministry of Agriculture, Makerere University, the National
Agriculture Research Organisation, and the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (Conway 2006).

The committee have focused on livelihood issues, production systems, and marketing
opportunities, including the use of schools as seed and seedling multiplication centres.
They have also studied the health impact of urban farming, looking at food security
and nutrition issues, and potential health risks from vegetables irrigated with sewage.

Participatory Technology Development

In Kampala, local authorities have tapped into urban producers’ horticultural

knowledge to develop planting systems optimising vertical space (Prain 2006). The
PTD approach involved three main steps: 1) focus groups and workshops with local
farmers to outline agricultural skills, knowledge and farming techniques; 2) a formal

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survey of farming practices similar to that outlined above, which was complimented
with laboratory analysis of samples; and 3) farmer-led experimentation.

However, progress is still to be made in Kampala. Limited urban space is putting

increasing pressure on farmers who may not have enough land to cultivate crops
(Dobyn 2004). The management of land is a tangled mix of customary, colonial, and
modern land tenure projects (Conway 2006). For farmers, the current procedures for
accessing land are described as bureaucratic, time-consuming and complex (Conway
2006). Land ordinances that aim to conserve wetlands, greenbelts, and drainage
channels further restrict farmers’ accessibility to open areas. These problems point to
the need for more clear policy and guidelines on land use that include UA.

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Shortly after the passage of the LGC in 1991, the CAO in Cagayan de Oro embarked
upon a pro-UA policy. Institutional support for UA is increasing on account of a)
successful project showcases; b) tripartite partnerships between local government,
NGOs and Pos, and; c) legislation in support of UA. The CAO facilitates several
agricultural activities in Cagayan de Oro, including: a) agricultural extension services;
b) home management extension services; c) strengthening of farmers’ cooperatives
and; d) Farming Youths Development Programme. The media (i.e. local TV stations
and newspapers) cover most of the city’s UA approaches, promoting support for and
creating awareness of UA among farmers and the public alike (Potutan et al 1999).

Education - Fundamental to the project has been the establishment of the Farmers’
Field School for local high school students. The CAO has also promoted the
development of school gardens, and 96% of public elementary schools in the city now
maintain a garden. This activity is pursued by pupils as part of the school curriculum
and supervised by principals and teachers. The size allotted for gardens ranges from
500-1,000 m2. The pupils usually plant leafy vegetable, fruits, ornamental and herbal
plants. School administrators have typically adopted bio-intensive gardening,
designed for pupils to learn UA in both formal and informal education approaches.
Many of the community kitchens in the city also have adjacent gardens (Potutan et al
1999).

Waste management - Environmental sustainability also features heavily in the city

government’s UA mandate, particularly with regards to solid waste management. In
2002, Cagayan de Oro city government embarked on a pilot project linking solid waste
management with the production of vegetables in allotment gardens using compost
made from the biodegradable wastes of the surrounding community (Holmer et al
2003).

A typical barangay allotment garden consists of eight individual family units having a
300 m2 parcel of land, who are organised in an association (Holmer et al 2003). The
land is leased from local landowners, at current rates for agricultural lands. The area
is fenced, has an entrance, a tool shed, a nursery, a water supply, and a compost heap
for the biodegradable household wastes. Beneficiaries are recruited based on their
income; their willingness to do the actual garden work, to participate and share
experiences; their residency near the project site and being residents in the pilot

- 54 -
barangay. The beneficiaries contribute to the project though labour. They are also
obliged to contribute towards setting up a fund for the associations which could be
used for replacing damaged tools and other equipment and for obtaining resources and
new members, thus ensuring sustainability. Beneficiaries are also charged with
ensuring maintenance of the compost heap, to prevent odorous smells and health
risks.

Since 2003, five self-sustaining gardens have been created in different urban areas if
the city, enabling a total of 50 urban poor families to get legal access to previously
vacant land for vegetable production (Holmer et al 2003). The private landowners
participating in the project have been so convinced (particularly due to added
protection from garbage dumping and illegal squatting) that they have offered other
areas in the city to be used for allotment gardening.

In the city districts that have an allotment garden, the health status of residents has
also improved, and the amount of residual wastes delivered to the landfill site has
been reduced by more than one third since the segregated bio-degradable household
wastes are converted into compost in the gardens. Measures are now being taken to
further advocate and promote, and ensure long-term tenure of, allotment gardens.
The city government is presently mainstreaming the allotment garden concept into its
overall city planning and development, which will also use participatory GIS-based
approaches to identify suitable areas for future garden sites. And a city ordinance is
presently being prepared to reduce taxes for landowners who make their land
available for this purpose.

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Appendix 3: Innovations

Farm to School Programs

School gardens are a means by which children can participate in design,

implementation and reap the fruits of their labour. Alexander et al (1995) studied the
Bexar County Master Gardeners non-profit program in inner-city San Antonio. In this
study, volunteer master gardeners would help classrooms establish gardens, teach
children the skills needed to care for plants, and allow children to decide how their
garden would be designed and used. The benefits of such classroom gardens included
increased motivation to come to school, increased self-esteem, moral education
(nurturing skills, cooperation, delayed gratification), and the positive spin-offs which
resulted from children starting their own gardens at home or in their communities.

The “snack garden” program at an elementary school in Westminster Vermont not only
provided children with the experience of planning and working with a local farmer,
but taught them canning skills which they used to preserve garden snacks for the
winter months (Canaris, 1995). During the summer months, each child’s family would
be in charge of caring for the garden for one week (this included weeding, watering
and planting), to ensure a full harvest for September. Parents were also in charge of
organizing weekly family outings to the garden, thus allowing the positive benefits
from this child-friendly environment to incorporate a larger community.

The City of Toronto also promotes organic gardening practices to youth through its
programs at the High Park Children’s Garden (City of Toronto, 2007). The program
provides hands-on gardening experience to urban youth through workshops, arts and
crafts and natural heritage education. School children visit the garden as part of a
field trip activity and are encouraged to plant seeds, harvest produce, care for the
garden and learn about soil, composting and nutrition (City of Toronto, 2007).

College and University Farms

There are several student-run college and university farms across North America.
While many campus farms often serve as a “living laboratory” for a variety of courses
offered at various academic institutions, their growing popularity is beginning to
exceed this narrow role. Campus farms are increasingly fulfilling the dual roles of
providing hands-on balanced educational experiences for students while fueling the
campus with healthy local foods (Sayre, 2004). Campus farms allow students to gain
practical perspectives regarding a range of environmental issues which are pertinent
to all academic disciplines, while learning that many intelligent ecological solutions
can be found close by, despite the often inflexible institutional constraints (Brodie,
2006). It is also felt that campus farms allow students to balance intellectual skills

- 56 -
with vital manual skills as a means of promoting well-rounded educational experiences
and problem-solving abilities (Sayre, 2004).

While many on-campus farms face the challenges of high student-worker turnover
rates and economic viability, Sayre (2004) argues that a common misunderstanding
regarding campus farms is that they should be making money when in reality their
educational worth far outweighs monetary gains. However, some economic stability is
required to ensure that farms can continue to educate and produce food. A variety of
US college and university farms have implemented creative ways of supplying food to
the campus community and beyond in order to ensure financial security for the future
while continuing to serve as a practical educational tool.

The concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is based on selling “shares” of

farm produce well before the growing season. This ensures that consumers receive
fresh produce each week (depending on growing season and crop) of the growing
season and share in the risk of an agricultural operation, while farmers receive much
needed pre-season funds (Bradley and Ellis, 1992). Oberlin College farm, Common
Grounds Farm at University of Vermont, Hampshire College Farm and the student
farms at UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz are examples of successful on-campus CSAs which
not only provide produce to campus residents, students and faculty, but tailor their
services for campus life (Sayre, 2004, Brodie 2006, UC Davis, 2007). The Hampshire
College CSA has over 200 members, 50% of which are students. Therefore in order to
improve accessibility for student members, the CSA offers a “fall” share, which lasts
from September 1st until Thanksgiving (Sayre, 2004). Oberlin College CSA provides
“institutional shares” which are sold to college dining halls in order to promote local
food on-campus (Sayre, 2004).

Other strategies include selling farm produce at local farmers’ markets or weekly on-
campus farmers markets (Cornell, 2006; Brodie, 2006), registering student farms as
non-profits, or organizing campus farms as student clubs in order to receive
supplemental funding from student council, as Cornell University, Cook College and
University of Idaho have done (Sayre, 2004). In order to promote the educational
benefits of campus farms while ensuring that the farm produce is being regularly
tended, institutions such as Vassar College and Wilson College have employed and
trained student farmers in exchange for reduced rent/ tuition or other benefits, while
several schools including Yale, Oberlin, UC Santa Cruz and Dartmouth, offer farm
apprenticeship and summer field course opportunities (Sayre, 2004; Yale University,
2007). These programs are considered valuable, not only because they train future
farmers, but educate consumers; thus enabling the continuation of local food
availability on campuses throughout North America.

Urban Agriculture Conferences

Institutional measures to achieve the aims of municipal planning policy might include
the reorganization of municipal government staff, or the reallocation of human and
other resources. The amalgamation of departments, or the institution of a land-use
policy or environmental review committee, might be examples of this kind of
institutional measure (Quon 1999).

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Institutions can successfully deliver community UA services; however they often lack
co-ordination at the national, provincial, and local level as well as information about
the planning and implementation of UA programs (Spies 2000). In March 1998, IDRC
conducted a Municipal Policy Review project in South Africa that took the form of an
international conference and workshop at Technikon Pretoria. The conference aimed
to share information on problems, solutions, networks and urban agriculture; to
identify the need for policy guidelines and the roles of players in UA; and to
investigate key issues (institutional, environmental, socio-economic, UA practice)
where action was needed (Spies 2000).

The international conference on UA in South Africa created an opportunity for a

comprehensive overview of issues that affect the practice of UA. The IDRC project not
only represents a milestone in the development of guidelines for a policy review
process in South Africa, but it contributes towards discussions on the importance of
policies to support UA projects and increases awareness and understanding of the
importance of UA as a source of food production for the urban poor. It was determined
that a key to success of implementation of UA lies in the institutionalization of UA
programs (Spies 2000).

Marketing Cluster Associations

In northern Philippines, Norman Veggies farmers have formed marketing clusters to

reduce their vulnerability to market shocks and fluctuations. The associations follow a
quality assurance plan, train themselves in good agricultural practices, and designate
lead farmers to act as quality managers and coaches. In Naga, implementation of
marketing association would be facilitated the participatory governance structure, and
experience and knowledge of Metro PESO (Concepion et al 20006).

Land Conservation via Greenbelt Initiatives

The Ontario Farmland Trust is an organization dedicated to fostering the preservation

of farmland for agricultural production in Ontario. As advocates for farmland
preservation, they specialize in the development of tools designed to protect
agricultural lands. The trust recognizes that effective farmland protection must
provide the support necessary to foster a thriving farming community on that farmland
(Hilts 2004).

The Ontario Farmland Trust offers the following recommendations regarding the
creation of a thriving agricultural community in a municipal greenbelt:

1. Avoid leapfrogging - policies and development regulations must support

concentrated development, at higher densities, with transit provided, and
brownfield redevelopment emphasized, in existing urban centers. These basics
must be in place to successfully implement a municipal greenbelt program.
2. Recognize the necessity of supporting a vibrant and thriving farm community
while preserving farmland. Farmland preservation programs must be combined
with support for a specialized kind of agriculture near urban areas.
3. Enable the use of new tools for innovative approaches to farmland protection,
such as agricultural easements. Easements provide a stronger means of defining

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 permanent farmland protection than zoning alone, while also providing
financial support for farmers who choose to stay in the greenbelt.
4. Restructure municipal property taxes and property assessment procedures to
provide positive incentives for farmers, including opportunities for value-added
production and secondary uses on farms. This should include establishing a
‘Stewardship’ category under the assessment process whereby landowners who
meet acceptable standards of stewarding their land, receive an appropriate
property tax incentive.
5. Recognize that the term ‘greenbelt’ gives an inappropriate impression to many.
Greenbelts are often perceived as ‘public open space’ when, in fact, much of it
is private, working farmland. The role that the active farmers play, both as
private landowners and as businesspersons and women, is going to be a key to
maintaining the ‘greenbelt’.
6. Provide direct assistance and core funding to effectively carry out greenbelt
programs. Adequate funding supports the holding and monitoring of easements,
near-urban agriculture, and support for young entering farmers.
7. Once farmland is designated for protection in the greenbelt, it should have
priority over all other land uses, including aggregates, highways and public
utilities (Hilts 2004).

Multi-Stakeholder Process of Urban Agriculture

Multi-Stakeholder Processes (MSPs) are:

• processes that aim to involve stakeholders in improving situations that effect
them
• forms of social interaction that enable different individuals and groups, who
are effected by an issue, to enter into dialogue, negotiation, learning, decision
making and collective action
• about getting government staff, policy makers, community representatives,
scientists, business people and NGO representatives to think and work together
(Dubbeling and Merzthal 2006).

To best understand what characterizes a MSP and the phases generally experienced
when implementing such a process, the following visual aids are provided:

Characteristics of a MSP

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Source: Dubbeling and Merzthal 2006.

Phases of a MSP

Source: Dubbeling and Merzthal 2006.

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Whenever possible, it is important in this first phase to negotiate and formalize initial
agreements and commitments on how the process will take place, what objectives it is
aiming at and which stakeholders will participate in what role, to promote
transparency, building of trust and institutionalization of the process (Dubbeling and
Merzthal 2006). The following is an example of an inter-actor agreement utilized in
Quito-Ecuador to negotiate and formalize initial agreements and comments (Dubbeling
and Merzthal 2006).

Inter-actor agreement for development of an baseline study and action

plan on urban agriculture

We (names of stakeholders............) sign the present inter-actor

agreement, containing the following clauses:
First clause - Objective
The above-mentioned stakeholders agree:

a. To gather data on the development (key data and impacts),

farming types, involved stakeholders and key issues (problems) of
urban agriculture in the city (baseline study),
b. To facilitate and strengthen dialogue with involved stakeholders
to identify broad strategies to address these key issues,
highlighting the consequences if key issues are not addressed,
c. To regularly monitor project development and results, and
d. To disseminate project results through different local forums and
media so as to encourage other organizations to join in further
development of action planning and policy design on UA.

Second clause - Project Team

A Local Project Team has been formed to facilitate the
process of participatory diagnosis, action planning and
establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform on UA. The
actors signing this present agreement will form part of this
team and will be in charge of planning and implementation
of the activities.
Third clause – Tasks of the Local Project Team

a. Coordinate all the efforts needed to implement the afore-

mentioned activities using a participatory and multi-stakeholder
approach, and ensure the results are achieved,
b. Assign a project coordinator who will maintain efficient
communication among team members,
c. Support project implementation with human and financial
resources and existing logistical facilities:
o the local government will make available the latest land
use (GIS) maps and cadastre, as well as the present city
development plans and legal/normative frameworks
related to UA

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 o the NGO will make its office and communication facilities
available for regular team meetings
o the University will support participation of two students
for field work and organize transport to the field
d. Identify and mobilize new stakeholders and donor agencies that
will contribute to successful project implementation and further
development of an action plan,
e. Prepare monthly reports on activities realized, results achieved
and lessons learned to facilitate project monitoring and inter-
regional exchange.

The agreement can be modified upon agreement of all signing parties.

(signatures of all stakeholders.....)
Source: Translated from the Spanish version of the inter-actor
agreement elaborated in the context of a city consultation on UA,
supported by the Quito municipality, IPES/UMP-LAC and IDRC. (2000-
2002) (Dubbeling and Merzthal 2006).

Innovation: Municipal Land Use Regulations

UA should be included in both municipal and sub-municipal or district land use plans.
The plans need to be studied to determine spaces that can be allocated for
cultivation, aquaculture, animal husbandry and forestry, among other activities
(Cabannes and Debbeling 2003). It is recommended that the land use plans be part of
strategic plans and urban development plans.

It is also recommended that these land use plans exist not only at the city level, but
also at lower levels, such as neighbourhood improvement plans, subdivision plans,
district development and urban renewal plans (Cabannes and Debbeling 2003).
Creating land use plans at this micro-level facilitates delineation of spaces that could
potentially be used for UA.

Guidelines for Municipal Policy Making on Urban Agriculture

A municipal policy includes regulations for developing both municipal and local land
use plans. These should be included in the city's legal system and should provide for
the following:
• Urban, peri-urban and rural-municipal zoning
o multi-level zoning makes it possible to adapt the general standards to
the demands of growth
• Rules and Standards for districts and UA areas
o Like industrial zones, these districts are not usually included in the
regulatory frameworks. They must be designed so as to facilitate
intensive production, with the use of treated wastewaters and
integrated spaces for food processing, storing and marketing. These
areas can be managed as public, shared or private schemes
• Standards for parks and public spaces
o municipalities should reserve a percentage of municipal lands for
farming purposes and specify the type of activities allowed
• Standards for new lot assignments and urban renewal

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 o A percentage of land should also be reserved for UA, with clear rules
concerning use, density, etc. These should take into account mixed use
of parcels (e.g. residential and agricultural). (Cabannes and Debbeling
2003).

Participatory Community Assessments

In Khorogo, a quantitative analysis was undertaken with the assistance of AGROPOLIS

to identify the determinants of small ruminant adoption (Barry 2005). The study was
based on proportional sampling over one-third of the city’s land area. The livestock
density was first estimated by following transects through the city’s 11
neighbourhoods, counting the number of livestock. On the basis of this livestock
density, 90 households were randomly selected and surveyed. Within each household,
data was collected on factors including age, gender, education level, nationality,
number of members in household, wife’s primary occupation, household income,
primary occupation of the household, and number of years experience in farming. The
results were analysed using the ‘Empirical Tobit Model’. Gender was identified as the
most important variable in livestock ownership. While focus was placed specifically on
livestock adoption, the analysis could be readily transferred to crop production,
aquaculture etc, and made highly applicable to the Naga context.

Micro-Enterprise Management

In a participatory planning initiative undertaken in 2000, the local authority in Hubli-

Dharwad, India, conducted meetings with poor women’s groups to prepare agricultural
action plans (Cabannes 2006). The meetings revealed that income-generation efforts
were failing because agricultural policies were not up to speed with market demands,
such that the products made by women’s groups were obsolete.

To create new options for the poor to access markets, the government and DfID
focused on capacity-building through the MOVE (Market Oriented Value Enhancement)
program. Under MOVE, a small group of poor landless peri-urban women were
selected and trained in the basics of setting up and running micro enterprises. They
were given training on markets, to help them understand market dynamics, distinguish
between qualities of products, enhance their marketing strategies, negotiate with
retailers and form direct relationships with consumers.

The women were also encouraged to form cooperatives, in order to share risks and
labour, and were taught to understand the difference between group-based product
identification and market-oriented product identification. By collaborating with an
international NGO, the scheme has also been of minimal cost to the local authority,
and the women’s profits have increased significantly.

Evolving Credit Schemes

Most studies indicate that financial support for UA is best based on a combination of
three mechanisms: savings, subsidies and (micro-) credit (Cabannes, 2004). This co-
responsibility principle forms the basis for models of evolutionary loans with
decreasing subsidies, such as that adopted in Case Melhor. The table below is based

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on the pioneering evolving credit scheme. Over time, the subsidy component was
gradually reduced, but the saving component increased, along with the value of
credit. In this model, the fourth loan was not granted by the municipal local fund, but
alternatively by private banks. The fund thus acts as a bridge that allows poor people,
normally excluded from the formal banking system, to get access to higher-valued
loans managed by banks, having being gradually introduced to repayment obligations
and systems of savings. The regressive subsidies, in addition to their value for the
people, acquire a social function, fostering the inclusion of those who had no access to
formal credit before. In Naga, adoption of similar credit schemes may be facilitated
by the high number of private banking institutions. NGOs may also provide an
alternative funding source.

Example of evolutionary loan system

Source: Cabannes, Y., 2004.

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