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Urban Agriculture and Its Role in the City's Economic Development
2026-04-17
Department of Geography – College of Literature – University of Anbar
Agriculture was discovered long ago, more than fifteen thousand years ago. In the last two to three thousand years, agriculture has evolved into diverse agricultural societies adapted to their local environments.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defines urban agriculture as: "A sector concerned with the production and marketing of food, primarily to meet the daily needs of consumers within a town, city, or capital. This sector operates on scattered land and water sources throughout the urban and semi-urban area, employing intensive production methods and utilizing natural resources and urban waste, reusing them to produce a variety of crops and raise livestock.
It is also defined as: "The cultivation of plants and the raising of animals for food and other uses within and around cities and villages, and related activities such as the processing and marketing of agricultural products. Urban agriculture is located within or on the outskirts of a city and encompasses a variety of production systems, including those for family subsistence and those for commercial marketing.
The role of urban agriculture in the economic development of the city:
Today, there are numerous initiatives related to urban agriculture worldwide, and a wide variety of agricultural practices within cities. This makes it difficult to classify the different forms of urban agriculture. However, it can be divided into several variables, as shown in the following figure:
Economic systems: These include three forms:
Urban agriculture can be for marketing purposes to ensure a minimum for those with the lowest incomes (selling various products or providing services); producers may be professional practitioners or members of an association. Urban agriculture may be located in the city center or on the outskirts, and the produce is directed to the local market, mostly within the same neighborhood or neighboring areas.
The economic system can also be non-commercial in the case of residents who practice urban agriculture individually or collectively in various types of communal gardens. In these cases, the sale of crops is prohibited because this economic system is productive but not for profit.
The role of urban agriculture in the city's economic development:
Some systems are mixed, combining both commercial and non-commercial elements, such as garden farmers. These are often structured as associations and employ several qualified individuals who oversee production. Members of the managing association can contribute to various activities and operations. Revenues are used solely to pay farmers' wages, cover water bills, rent, equipment, and various association expenses. These gardens are open to the public for participation, learning horticulture techniques, and entertainment.
Locations: Production can be located on agricultural or vacant land, or on existing infrastructure such as roads and buildings. Urban agriculture can take place on repurposed and renovated industrial sites, as well as on rooftops. In this case, crops are grown in minimal soil using various supports such as barrels, trays, plastic bags, and greenhouses. Other popular locations for urban agriculture include areas adjacent to buildings, which are generally planted with ornamental shrubs and some fruit trees.
Production Methods:
Urban agriculture often relies on intensive farming techniques due to limited land available for traditional agriculture. Various new technologies are employed, including: soil-based farming, trellised or stake-based farming, hydroponics, rooftop farming, and poultry and beekeeping.
Agricultural Products:
Urban agriculture currently offers a wide variety of plant products, most notably fruits and vegetables. Other products include grains, legumes, fungi, ornamental flowers, and various herbs. Animal products include fish, honey, eggs, chicken, and milk.
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