Profitability and Sustainability of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Iii

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Profitability and Sustainability of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Iii AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND FINANCE 19 AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND FINANCE OCCASIONAL PAPER 19 OCCASIONAL PAPER Profitability and sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture Profitability and Urban agriculture (UA) is a dynamic concept that comprises a variety of livelihood systems ranging from subsistence production and processing at the household level to more sustainability of urban commercialized agriculture. It takes place in different locations and under varying socio-economic conditions and and peri-urban agriculture political regimes. The diversity of UA is one of its main attributes, as it can be adapted to a wide range of urban situations and to the needs of diverse stakeholders. Despite UA is increasing in cities in developed countries as well as in developing countries, many urban farmers around the world operate without formal recognition of their main livelihood activity and lack the structural support of proper municipal policies and legislation. Appropriate policies and regulations are required to enhance the potential of agriculture in cities and mitigate its potential risks. The challenge is for UA to become part of sustainable urban development and to be valued as a social, economic and environmental benefit rather than a liability. This paper aims to provide pertinent information on profitability and sustainability of UA to a wide audience of managers and policymakers from municipalities, ministries of agriculture, local government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), donor organizations and university research institutions. It aims to highlight the benefits of linkages between agriculture and the urban environment, leading to a more balanced understanding of the conflicts and synergies. It examines how UA can contribute substantially to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in reducing urban poverty and hunger (MDG 1) and ensuring environmental sustainability (MDG 7). ISBN 978-92-5-105881-7 978 9 2 5 1 0 5 8 8 1 7 TC/M/A1471E/1/11.07/1000 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-105881-7 All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to: Chief Electronic Publishing Policy and Support Branch Communication Division FAO Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy or by e-mail to: [email protected] © FAO 2007 Profitability and sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture iii Contents PREFACE v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii ACRONYMS ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY xi 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 URBAN AGRICULTURE ON THE POLICY AGENDA 1 1.2 AIMS AND STRUCTURE OF THIS STUDY 3 2. URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE 5 2.1 CHARACTERIZATION OF URBAN AGRICULTURE 5 2.2 DYNAMICS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE 10 2.3 CLASSIFICATION OF URBAN FARMING SYSTEMS 15 2.4 CONCLUSIONS 24 3. PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF URBAN AGRICULTURE 27 3.1 MEASURING ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND PROFITABILITY OF URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE 28 3.2 ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND PROFITABILITY OF URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE 31 3.3 ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AT THE CITY LEVEL 40 3.4 SUITABILITY OF URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE 53 3.5 CONCLUSIONS 56 4. POLICY DEVELOPMENT REGARDING URBAN AGRICULTURE 59 5. SUMMARY OF MAIN CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 67 REFERENCES 73 ANNEXS 83 iv Contents LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1: URBAN FARMING PER REGION 7 TABLE 2: AGRICULTURE IN RURAL AND URBAN SITUATIONS 11 TABLE 3: GENERAL INDICATORS AND PARAMETERS FOR SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT 28 TABLE 4: INDICATORS TO ASSESS PROFITABILITY USED IN THE STUDIES REVIEWED 31 TABLE 5: REVENUE GENERATED IN DIFFERENT FARMING SYSTEMS IN KUMASI, GHANA 34 TABLE 6: PROFITABILITY OF CROPPING PATTERNS IN UPA IN KUMASI,GHANA 34 TABLE 7: ESTIMATE OF AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME OF COMMERCIAL GROWERS AND RETAILERS 35 TABLE 8: INCOME AND ADDED-VALE OF UPA (VEGETABLES), BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO 36 TABLE 9: CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RETURNS IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 37 TABLE 10: MONTHLY NET INCOME FROM IRRIGATED MIXED VEGETABLE FARMING 39 TABLE 11: FOOD PROVIDED BY URBAN AND PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE 42 TABLE 12: SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS USED IN STUDIES ON UPA 54 TABLE 13: SUSTAINABILITY OF UPA IN ACCRA AND KUMASI (GHANA) 55 TABLE 14: SYNERGIES AND CONFLICTS IN URBAN AGRICULTURE SUSTAINABILITY 56 TABLE IN ANNEX 15A: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR OFF-PLOT FARMING SYSTEMS IN LOMÉ, TOGO 83 15B: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR OFF-PLOT FARMING SYSTEMS IN COTONOU,BENIN 84 15C: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR OFF-PLOT FARMING SYSTEMS IDENTIFIED IN BAMAKO, MALI 85 15D: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR OFF-PLOT FARMING SYSTEMS IDENTIFIED IN OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO 86 15E: CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR OFF-PLOT FARMING SYSTEMS IDENTIFIED IN DAKAR, SENEGAL 87 16: FACTOR SHARES IN URBAN AGRICULTURE ENTERPRISES , NIGERIA 88 17: S.OLITORIUS ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR INTENSIVE URBAN PRODUCTION, IN CFAF 88 18: S. SCABRUM ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR SEMI-INTENSIVE PERI-URBAN PRODUCTION, IN CFAF 89 19: MAJOR HORTICULTURAL CROPS CULTIVATED IN BAMAKO AND OUAGADOUGOU 89 20: BENEFIT-COST RATIOS OF CROPS PRODUCED IN URBAN AND PERI-URBAN, TAMALE 89 21: COSTS OF PRODUCTION AND INCOME GENERATION FROM MAIN URBAN, PERI-URABN AND RURAL FARMING ALONG THE MUSI RIVER IN HYBERBAD 90 22: REVENUES, COSTS AND INCOME PER FARM 91 23: AVERAGE INPUT COSTS, REVENUES AND RETURNS OF VEGETABLE CROPS 92 24: SIZE AND PROFITABILITY RANKING OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY ENTERPRISES IN PERI-URABN AGRICULTURE 93 25: AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME FROM DIFFERENT UPA ENTERPRISES 93 26: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE 94 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: POLICY DIMENSIONS AND MAIN TYPES OF URBAN FARMING 24 LSIT OF BOXES BOX 1. THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 8 BOX 2 ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OF URBAN FORESTRY 30 BOX 3: MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PROCESSES FOR POLICY-MAKING AND PLANNING FOR UPA 61 Profitability and sustainability of urban and peri-urban agriculture v Preface Urban agriculture (UA) is a dynamic concept that comprises a variety of livelihood systems ranging from subsistence production and processing at the household level to more commercialized agriculture. It takes place in different locations and under varying socio- economic conditions and political regimes. The diversity of UA is one of its main attributes, as it can be adapted to a wide range of urban situations and to the needs of diverse stakeholders. UA or urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) as it is referred to in this paper, can make important contributions to social, economic and ecological objectives of sustainable urban development (SUD). UA is increasing in cities in developed countries as well as in developing countries, and the number of cities revising existing policies or formulating new policies and action programmes on UA is growing rapidly (van Veenhuizen, 2006). However, many urban farmers around the world operate without formal recognition of their main livelihood activity and lack the structural support of proper municipal policies and legislation. Appropriate policies and regulations are required to enhance the potential of agriculture in cities and mitigate its potential risks. The challenge is for UPA to become part of SUD and to be valued as a social, economic and environmental benefit rather than a liability. To support this development, an overview is provided of the role and importance of UPA on the basis of three studies. In 2002, two assessments of the profitability and sustainability of urban farming were undertaken for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division ( AGS), by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Ghana Office) and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). These studies were carried out in selected urban and peri-urban sites in Ghana, West Africa (Gyiele et al., 2002) and in Thailand, Asia (Vagneron et al., 2002). The studies attempted to contribute to a greater understanding of issues and opportunities characterizing intra-urban and peri-urban farming from a long-term perspective. In a third study, Danso et al. (2003) sought to identify and typify urban farming systems (UFSs) and discuss indicators to measure and assess profitability and sustainability of urban farming, with a focus on Africa. FAO requested ETC-Urban Agriculture to integrate the results of the three studies, putting them in a wider context, using additional published and unpublished information available at the
Recommended publications
  • The Role of Agriculture Finance in Modern Technologies Adoption For
    The role of agriculture finance in modern technologies adoption for enhanced productivity and rural household economic wellbeing in Ghana: A case study of rice farmers in Shai-Osudoku District. Evans Sackey Teye1*(†) & Philip Tetteh Quarshie23(†) 1 School of Public Services and Governance, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana 2 Department of Geography Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada 3 Guelph Institute of Development Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada *Corresponding author P.O. Box CE 12116, Tema, Ghana Email: [email protected] Abstract Rural and agricultural finance innovations have significant potential to improve the livelihoods and food security of the poor. Although microfinance has been widely studied, an extensive knowledge gap still exists on the nuts and bolts of expanding access to rural and agricultural finance. This study uses focus group discussion, key informant interview, and quantitative household survey to explore how smallholders access credits and loans influence adoption of modern production technologies and what are perceived limitations to access these financial instruments in the Shia-Osuduku District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study are; (1) to assess the challenges rice farmers face in accessing finance, (2) to determine if access to finance impacts the adoption of modern rice production technologies and (3) to determine whether loan investments in improved technologies increase productivity and income levels of farmers. The study noted that issues of mistrust for smallholder farmers by financial institutions act as barriers to facilitating their access to loans and credits. Banks and financial institutions relay their mistrust through actions such as requesting outrageous collateral, guarantors, a high sum of savings capital, and a high-interest rate for agriculture loans, delays, and bureaucratic processes in accessing loans.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Agriculture
    GSDR 2015 Brief Urban Agriculture By Ibrahim Game and Richaela Primus, State University of New York College of Forestry and Environmental Science Related Sustainable Development Goals Goal 01 End poverty in all its forms everywhere (1.1, 1.4, 1.5 ) Goal 02 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.c) Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4,12.5, 12.7, 12.8) Goal 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (15.9 ) *The views and opinions expressed are the authors’ and do not represent those of the Secretariat of the United Nations. Online publication or dissemination does not imply endorsement by the United Nations. Authors can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected]. Introduction Examples of UEA include community gardens, vegetable gardens and rooftop farms, which exist Urban Agriculture (UA) and peri-urban agriculture can worldwide and are playing important roles in the urban be defined as the growing, processing, and distribution food systems. 17 CEA includes any form of agriculture of food and other products through plant cultivation where environmental conditions (such as, light, and seldom raising livestock in and around cities for temperature, humidity, radiation and nutrient cycling) 1 2 feeding local populations. Over the last few years, are controlled in conjunction with urban architecture UA has increased in popularity due to concerns about or green infrastructure.
    [Show full text]
  • A Values-Based Approach to Exploring Synergies Between Livestock Farming and Landscape Conservation in Galicia (Spain)
    sustainability Article A Values-Based Approach to Exploring Synergies between Livestock Farming and Landscape Conservation in Galicia (Spain) Paul Swagemakers 1,*, Maria Dolores Dominguez Garcia 2, Amanda Onofa Torres 3, Henk Oostindie 4 and Jeroen C. J. Groot 3 ID 1 Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Business and Tourism, University of Vigo, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain 2 Department of Applied Economics IV, Faculty of Social Work, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; [email protected] 3 Farming Systems Ecology Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; [email protected] (A.O.T.); [email protected] (J.C.J.G.) 4 Rural Sociology Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-986-818-644 Received: 27 September 2017; Accepted: 26 October 2017; Published: 31 October 2017 Abstract: The path to sustainable development involves creating coherence and synergies in the complex relationships between economic and ecological systems. In sustaining their farm businesses farmers’ differing values influence their decisions about agroecosystem management, leading them to adopt diverging farming practices. This study explores the values of dairy and beef cattle farmers, the assumptions that underpin them, and the various ways that these lead farmers to combine food production with the provision of other ecosystem services, such as landscape conservation and biodiversity preservation. This paper draws on empirical research from Galicia (Spain), a marginal and mountainous European region whose livestock production system has undergone modernization in recent decades, exposing strategic economic, social and ecological vulnerabilities.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Changing Food Marketing Systems in Western Countries
    Chapter2 2 Changing food marketing systems in western countries M.T.G. Meutenberg andJ. Viaene 2.1 Introduction Agricultural and food products have traditionally been marketed through institutionalized markets,suc h ascommodit y exchanges,auction s andwho ­ lesale markets. Pricesar eth e centralcoordinatio n mechanismsi n such mar­ kets.However ,agricultura lan dfoo d markets havechange d drastically in the last few decades. Perhaps the most fundamental change is the shift from production to market orientation.I n ordert o establish astron g competitive position in their market, agricultural and food companies have to produce goods andservice s which match the wants and needs of consumers. In this contextth ecoordinatio n ofcompan ydecision si n thefoo d marketingsyste m has become extremely important. Consumer orientation, competitive strength and marketing efficiency are key words in agricultural and food marketing. In conjunction with this development, food marketing systems have become more diverse and moresophisticated . Thischapte ri sconcerne dwit h changesi nth efoo d marketing system,i n par­ ticular in the European Union (EU).First , aframewor k ofth e marketingsys ­ tem is proposed in order to analyse marketing and markets of agricultural andfoo d products.Afterward s developmentsi n the environmento fth e food marketing system are reviewed. Subsequently structural developments in food marketing systems areanalysed .Attentio n will bepai dt o actorsi n the marketing channel, such as farmers, wholesalers, the food industry and retailers. Marketing strategies which have become important in the Europeanfoo d marketing systems arereviewed .Th echapte r endswit h some conclusions. 2.2 Thefoo d marketing system:a framewor k Direct marketing from farmer to consumer is the exception rather than the rulei n Westerncountries .Agricultura lmarketin g channels haveevolve dint o food marketing systems consisting of different actors, such asfarmer ,who ­ lesaler, the food industry and retailer.
    [Show full text]
  • Finca+Slow+Permaculture.Pdf
    Farming and Smallholding © Johanna McTiernan Dan McTiernan describes how regenerative agriculture is transforming olive groves in Spain and introduces © Johanna McTiernan transnational cropshare Restoring Agriculture in the Mediterranean “It’s not just that traditional Mediter- Together with our friends, who own healthy, perennial Mediterranean crops heavy input, bare-earth paradigm ranean agriculture isn’t sustainable a similar piece of land, and working that can’t be grown in Britain easily. of agriculture that is having such a ... it isn’t even viable on any level in partnership with IPM, we have If managed holistically, olives, nut destructive impact on the environ- anymore!” That was one of the first started Terra CSA, a multi-farm com- bearing trees such as almonds, and ment and the climate. All other things Richard Wade of Instituto munity supported agriculture project vine products like red wine, are about non-cold-pressed seed oils require Permacultura Montsant (IPM) said using permaculture and regenerative as perennial and sustainable as crops high levels of processing involving to us during our six month intern- agriculture to build soil and deliver come. We want the UK to still be heat and solvents in the extraction ship with him here in the south of olive oil, almonds and wine direct to able to access these incredibly process that are energy and resource Catalunya, Spain. cropshare members in the UK. nutritious products alongside the heavy and questionable in terms of With his doom laden words still Having been involved in community need to relocalise as much of our health to people and the planet.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustaining America's Urban Trees and Forests
    United States Department of SSustainingustaining AAmerica’smerica’s Agriculture Forest Service UUrbanrban TTreesrees andand ForestsForests Northern Research Station State and Private Forestry General Technical DDavidavid J.J. NNowak,owak, SusanSusan M.M. Stein,Stein, PaulaPaula B.B. Randler,Randler, EricEric J.J. GreenGreenfi eeld,ld, Report NRS-62 SSaraara JJ.. CComas,omas, MMaryary AA.. CCarr,arr, aandnd RRalphalph J.J. AligAlig June 2010 A Forests on the Edge Report ABSTRACT Nowak, David J.; Stein, Susan M.; Randler, Paula B.; Greenfi eld, Eric J.; Comas, Sara J.; Carr, Mary A.; Alig, Ralph J. 2010. Sustaining America’s urban trees and forests: a Forests on the Edge report. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-62. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 27 p. Close to 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas and depends on the essential ecological, economic, and social benefi ts provided by urban trees and forests. However, the distribution of urban tree cover and the benefi ts of urban forests vary across the United States, as do the challenges of sustaining this important resource. As urban areas expand across the country, the importance of the benefi ts that urban forests provide, as well as the challenges to their conservation and maintenance, will increase. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the current status and benefi ts of America’s urban forests, compare differences in urban forest canopy cover among regions, and discuss challenges facing urban forests and their implications for urban forest management. Key Words: Urban forest, urbanization, land Lisa DeJong The Plain Dealer, Photo: AP management, ecosystem services Urban forests offer aesthetic values and critical services.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Agriculture: Long-Term Strategy Or Impossible Dream? Lessons from Prospect Farm in Brooklyn, New York
    public health 129 (2015) 336e341 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Public Health journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/puhe Original Research Urban agriculture: long-term strategy or impossible dream? Lessons from Prospect Farm in Brooklyn, New York * T. Angotti a,b, a Urban Affairs & Planning at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA b Prospect Farm in Brooklyn, New York, USA article info abstract Article history: Proponents of urban agriculture have identified its potential to improve health and the Available online 25 February 2015 environment but in New York City and other densely developed and populated urban areas, it faces huge challenges because of the shortage of space, cost of land, and the lack Keywords: of contemporary local food production. However, large portions of the city and metro- Urban agriculture politan region do have open land and a history of agricultural production in the not-too- Land use policy distant past. Local food movements and concerns about food security have sparked a Community development growing interest in urban farming. Policies in other sectors to address diet-related ill- Food safety nesses, environmental quality and climate change may also provide opportunities to Climate change expand urban farming. Nevertheless, for any major advances in urban agriculture, sig- nificant changes in local and regional land use policies are needed. These do not appear to be forthcoming any time soon unless food movements amplify their voices in local and national food policy. Based on his experiences as founder of a small farm in Brooklyn, New York and his engagement with local food movements, the author analyzes obstacles and opportunities for expanding urban agriculture in New York.
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Horticulture Prospective to Secure Food Provisions in Urban and Peri-Urban Environments
    Suman and Bhatnagar Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 7 (3): 133-140 (2019) ISSN: 2320 – 7051 Available online at www.ijpab.com DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7469 ISSN: 2320 – 7051 Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 7 (3): 133-140 (2019) Review Article Urban Horticulture Prospective to Secure Food Provisions in Urban and Peri-Urban Environments Mahaveer Suman1* and Prerak Bhatnagar2 Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalrapatan Campus, Jhalawar, Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan *Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 12.04.2019 | Revised: 18.05.2019 | Accepted: 22.05.2019 ABSTRACT According to the latest estimate of the United Nations, the World's urban population is expected to increase at burgeoning explosion from 2.76 billion in 1995 to 5.34 billion in the year 2025 at which time more than half (2.72 billion) will reside in Asian cities. Insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables is the probable reason for micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition in developing countries. With urbanization, globalization and a growing world population, it becomes imperative and of utmost importance to secure sufficient food supply for the world’s population. Many cities are expected to boom in the near future or are already entrenched with nearly insurmountable problems such as employment for often fairly uneducated migrants from rural areas, proper disposal of an abundance of refuse from households, commerce and industry by making available safe and sufficient supply of cheap but nutritious food rich in vitamins and minerals to feed ever increasing the population of these expanding urban centers.
    [Show full text]
  • AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE and POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT for the 10Th Five Year People’S Plan, 2010-15
    Final Report of the Working Group on AGRICULTURAL MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE AND POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT th for the 10 Five Year People’s Plan, 2010-15 December, 2009 Food and Agriculture Section, Planning Commission Islamabad Dated: ________________ Subject: Final Report of the Working Group on Agricultural marketing Infrastructure and Post Harvest Management Dear Dr. M .E. Tusneem, Assalamu alaikum Warahmat Ullah Wabarakatuh, The Planning Commission of Pakistan constituted a Working Group on “Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure and Post Harvest Management” on August 29, 2009 for the 10th Five Year People’s Plan 2010-15. The main task for the Working Group was to review existing marketing system of agricultural commodities (wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, pulses, horticulture products, milk, meat, etc.) and recommend strategies/policies for improvement. Also, to review existing regulatory arrangements for ensuring quality of inputs/outputs, and making recommendations for compliance with SPS requirements and promoting exports; to examine adequacy of existing storage/cool chain infrastructure; and recommend public policy interventions, institutional arrangements and investment for enhancing capacity and reducing post harvest losses that would help contain food inflation and protection of consumer rights. Within the given time and resources, the Working Group has come up with a package of policy measures for the improvement of existing agricultural marketing system. I would like to thank all members of the Working Group and other experts for their timely and quality inputs in preparing this report. The services provided by the Planning Commission are highly appreciated. With profound regards, Yours faithfully, (Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan) Chairman Working Group Dr. M .E.
    [Show full text]
  • Healthy Housing Strategy
    HEALTHY CITY STRATEGY Healthy Housing Strategy Healthy Housing Strategy kelowna.ca 2 Helathy Housing Strategy Acknowledgements The development of the Healthy Housing Strategy was led by City of Kelowna’s Policy & Planning Department and was Healthy City Strategy Steering Committee supported by City staff, Interior Health and numerous other community organizations. The City of Kelowna would like to acknowledge the following members of the Healthy City Strategy Steering Committee and the Healthy Housing Stakeholder Advisory Committee for their contributions to this project: The City of Kelowna would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the following: • Community stakeholders that participated in the Stakeholder Workshops including: Adaptable Living, BC Housing, Canadian Home Builders Association, City of Kelowna Interior Health Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Central Okanagan Early Years • Doug Gilchrist • Dr. Sue Pollock Partnership, Central Okanagan Foundation, Community • Danielle Noble-Brandt • Heather Deegan Living BC, Evangel Housing Society, FortisBC, Habitat for • Michelle Kam • Deborah Preston Humanity, High Street Ventures, Honomobo, Interior Health, Kelowna Intentional Communities, KNEW Realty, Landlord BC, Mama’s for Mama’s, Okanagan Boys & Girls Healthy Housing Stakeholder Club, Okanagan College, Pathways Abilities Society, Advisory Committee: People in Motion, Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre, Society of Hope, • Danna Locke,
    [Show full text]
  • Farming Is Changing Updated in June 2021
    Farming is Changing Updated in June 2021 1 Contents Foreword 3 Overview 4 The Basic Payment Scheme, delinked payments and lump sums 6 Agri-environment schemes 10 Animal health and welfare 17 Prosperity and productivity 19 Regulation and enforcement 22 Annex: Summary of new schemes 23 2 Foreword Farming is more than a job. We must cherish the deep personal connection felt by farmers to the landscape, animals and wildlife they care for, and build upon it in the way we support them. This is an exciting time for English farming. We will be phasing out Direct Payments and introducing a new system that rewards farmers and land managers while delivering additional public goods that improve the environment. Changes of this signifcance can be intimidating, and it is natural that many farmers are worried about the phasing out of Direct Payments. We will move to the new system gradually, and make changes where needed if the new policies do not work as intended. It is vital that farmers have time to adapt. We have committed to maintaining the current annual budget in every year of this Parliament. This means funds from Direct Payments will be redirected straight back into Countryside Stewardship and our new schemes. The same amount will be available to the sector, though the way it is distributed will change. We will create cleaner, greener landscapes and we hope to reverse species decline and improve biodiversity signifcantly. At the same time, we will help food producers to stay competitive, helping our farmers to produce the high-quality food that they are renowned for while protecting and enhancing the environment on which a sustainable, productive future depends.
    [Show full text]
  • DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service
    This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 04/21/2021 and available online at DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREfederalregister.gov/d/2021-08152, and on govinfo.gov Agricultural Marketing Service [Document Number AMS-TM-21-0034] Supply Chains for the Production of Agricultural Commodities and Food Products AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for public comments. SUMMARY: On February 24, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on “America’s Supply Chains,” which directs several Federal agency actions to secure and strengthen America’s supply chains. One of these directions is for the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to submit, within one year, a report to the President that assesses the supply chains for the production of agricultural commodities and food products. This notice requests comments and information from the public to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in preparing the report required by the Executive Order. Through this notice, USDA is also requesting public comment to inform our thinking regarding how stimulus relief programs and spending related to food supply chain resilience as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) can help to increase durability and resilience within the U.S. food supply. DATES: Comments must be received by [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: All written comments in response to this notice should be posted online at www.regulations.gov. Comments received will be posted without change, including any personal information provided. All comments should reference the docket number AMS-TM-21-0034, the date of submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal Register.
    [Show full text]