Facing rising numbers of city dwellers, UN agency launches 'urban farming' campaign

1 February 2007 - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is launching a programme to promote urban farming across the developing world as projections show that the number of city dwellers in those countries will continue to surge dramatically.

Nine African countries are participating in FAO's "Food for the Cities" programme, where thousands of hectares of urban land are being transformed into allotment gardens to grow fresh vegetables.

All the food is being grown according to quality agricultural practices to ensure the produce is fresh, safe and healthy, FAO said in a statement issued today at its headquarters in Rome. The gardens - especially those in slum districts - will also serve as valuable green spaces in often congested and polluted cities. Learn more