Currently discussions are going on regarding how COVID-19 related public health intervention will affect people’s livelihood, especially in developing countries where poverty is widespread and people live hand to mouth. The discussion largely relate to the question, how can we sustain food supply in the face of the pandemic? In most cases agricultural production is done in rular areas, and there is a belief that public health interventions restricting movement i.e. lockdowns might affect food supply in urban areas. In a youth group I volunteer part time, it has been thought that urban agriculture where each household owns a compost backyard garden might not only be a solution to agricultural supply chains, but also providing onsite waste disposal option while limiting human movement thereby reducing possibility of further spread of COVID-19. But while that this might appear to be a double fold solution, a question also rise on how this can affect rural economy. Should we encourage urban communities to start producing their own food or we should not allow condition of poverty among members of rular communities to get worsened? Is urban agriculture a good practice to build resilient communities to pandemics like COVID-19?
Misused of agrochemical inputs in the name bumper production and shelflife increment is a common problem in developing countries leading to many health issues, environmental pollution and an overall decrease in soil fertility and crop productivity. In this regards, the promotion of urban agriculture is must essential to utilize the available space around the home and different type of decomposable waste from the household for the consumption of organic products.
No doubt this is one effective strategy among others that not only provide nutritional needs of the household or community, but also as a preventative approach to limiting intense social interactions in public food markets. What is commonly the practice and norm in my country is that public vegetable/food markets is a space for social and cultural gatherings. This is and will remain a high-risk area for possible spread of airborne diseases including COVID-19
The Kitchen garden or roof gardens may become a very desirable solution after this pandemic. Families can grow their own family needs over it.
Question: How do we encourage people to get involve? What can governments do to support the process?