The various face(t)s of urban agriculture: evidence from secondary townsin Ethiopia
(2026) International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability — Vol. 24, n° 1, p. 2628453 (2026)
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- Abstract
- Urban agriculture (UA) is often proposed as a solution to feed cities sustainably andnutritiously. Yet, research on secondary towns is limited, despite their central role inAfrica's urbanization, and studies on the entire supply chain are scarce. This study uses aqualitative approach to explore the technical, institutional and commercial aspects ofUA in two Ethiopian secondary towns, Dessie and Kombolcha, focusing on leafyvegetables due to their nutritional importance. Using purposive sampling, we con-ducted 68 key informant interviews and 11 focus group discussions with farmers,traders and officials. Through a thematic analysis, we identified three UA typologies:peri-urban commercial farms, home gardens and agriculture under the UrbanProductive Safety Net Program (UPSNP). Nearly 90% of leafy vegetables consumedlocally are sourced through UA, underscoring its importance. However, insecure landrights, limited policy support and informal trading systems hinder its impact. Each UAtype plays a distinct role: peri-urban farms are most productive, home gardens enhancehousehold nutrition, and UPSNP supports the poorest. Informal markets also causepost-harvest losses, especially affecting women, who face disproportionate barriers. Tofully realize UA's potential, inclusive and gender-sensitive policies that address thediverse needs across production systems and the supply chain are essential.
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Dinku, A., & Van den Broeck, G. (2026). The various face(t)s of urban agriculture: evidence from secondary townsin Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 24(1), 2628453. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2026.2628453 (Original work published 2026)