Potentials and promotion of Urban Agriculture (UA)

The speech made by Dr. Thilak T. Ranasinghe, Director of Agriculture (Western Province), at a seminar on “New Trends in Agriculture” held at the OPA on May 25.

Introduction

Only 150 million people lived in urban areas at the end of the twentieth century. It represent 10% of the world population. At the end of the century the world’s urban, population has increased twenty-fold to nearly 3,000 million. On the other hand, it is also revealed that in many countries urban poverty is declining much slower than rural poverty.

It is because urban populations are growing three times fast as rural populations. Urbanisation has major ecological consequences as cities significantly alter natural biogeochemical cycles of vital nutrients and other chemical resources (Rees, 1997). It is well-known that cities are engines of human, cultural, technological and economic development and as a result we are turning ourselves into an urban species.

Interest in the potentials of Urban Agriculture (UA) has grown recently and it is a relatively new phenomenon in many large and densely populated cities around the world (Maantay, 2006). However, it is not a northern maniac but UA already plays an increasingly vital role in the physical and economic survival of many people in Southern countries (Rees, 1997).

UA can be introduced as an industry that includes all agricultural (edible as well as non-edible forms) production, processing and marketing located within (Intra-urban) or on the periphery (Peri-urban) of a city or metropolis, independent or collectively produced by people for self consumption or commercial purposes.

It is a system that demands intensive production methods and uses natural resources and urban waste to yield a diversity of agriculture. This diversity of agriculture comes from horticulture, livestock, fodder and animal products, aquaculture, forestry and the like.

All in all, UA includes different types of micro-farming practices which help to achieve food security and to generate income from urban agro-entrepreneurships (UNDP, 1996; Jacobi, et.al., 2003; Premat, 2005)

Potentials for Urban Agriculture

The present trend towards ever-increasing urbanisation, growing food insecurity and environmental degradation, especially in developing countries, provide new access for UA.

First, studies reveal that people moving from rural areas into the city not only experience dramatic lifestyle changes, but also undergo much stress due to such changes.

As a result, various kinds of health problems are associated with different age groups and diabetes, heart diseases and mental illnesses become very common in urban societies. In contrast UA can potentially be utilized to improve the health status of different socio-economic groups in urban areas with specific focus on poverty associated problems.

Moreover, development of anti-ageing technologies will increase the most common age of death or in other words life expectancy by one year per year between 2010 and 2030 (Tuljapurka, 2006).

On these grounds, urban planners have to plan different strategies in developing urban areas as people are going to do things they did not use to do in their working lives. In consequence, UA can play a prominent role in addressing socio-economic aspects of urban dwellers.

Second, UA has a potential to reduce the gap between the poor and the rich by employing micro-entrepreneurship among city dwellers. Micro-farming ventures such as leafy vegetable production, hydroponics culture, small livestock raring, agricultural processing and value-addition ventures are major sources of income in urban agricultural development strategies.

In addition, there are many unquantifiable socio-environmental benefits such as understanding of food safety production technologies, improvement of aesthetic value in urban localities, the development of strong neighbourhood ties and a sense of community, reduced rate of crime and violence, and increased recreational opportunities.

Thus, the time of the poor or unemployed in towns can therefore effectively be used for economically productive ventures.

Third, UA helps to establish the greener environment and bio-diversity in the process of sustainable development. UA continuously improves genetic diversity because different food crops, rare plants, livestock and fish help to upkeep the urban habitat, create edible-cityscape (land, roof, airscapes, so on) and make gentler landscape projections than stone or concrete structures.

In this sphere, research opportunities for new extension methodologies in meeting urban populations are opened up.

For instance, the Western Provincial Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka experimented with new extension method called “Extension Street-Walks” during its Agricultural Promotional Week (i.e.. 23-29 April, 2007) to catch and create awareness on urban agricultural development strategies and also to find out non traditional urban target groups in increasing the agro-space cum bio-diversity of urban and peri-urban areas.

Fourth, UA will help to visualize adoptable production systems to new generations of agricultural producers or entrepreneurs.

In this sphere, integration of modern scientific knowledge with indigenous know-how plays prime role in involving Third-Generation., To strengthen this aspect microfinance that includes microcredit, savings services for poorer people, payment transactions and remittance and limited insurance services provide possible access for new generation practices of urban agriculture (Giehler, 2006).

Although agricultural loans are not microcredits there are exceptions where microfinance can play a potential role in short-term agricultural ventures such as chicken, quails, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, flower & ornamental plants, agricultural processing and value addition activities in urban areas.

Negative perceptions on Urban Agriculture

There are some negative concerns over UA in the areas of health protection, attitudes of local-government planners, socio-cultural attributes and women gender sensitivity, in general (Ranasinghe, 2005).

First, people simply tend to believe that UA leads to an increased incidence of mosquitoes due to water accumulation. Moreover, some suggests that misuse of chemicals and fertilizers in agriculture causes contamination of soil and water.

However, properly managed eco-friendly agricultural practices those induce urban waste recycling and natural resources protection provide no health risks and pollution in UA of cityscape development. For instance, concepts like Green Cities, Sustainable Cities and the Family Business Garden (FBG) will help to diminish such misconceptions.

Second, UA by tradition is being ignored in city planning codes due to the thinking of it as an abnormal part of city life (Obosu-Mensah, 2003).

However, by now, alternative methods in newly introduced sustainable city development concepts pave the way to deviate from such attitudes as food-security crisis and environment degardation have to be treated promptly. Therefore, it is a must to reorder urban spaces in the process of sustainable city development.

Third, socio-cultural sense of growing food in cities was meant to be for the poor or uneducated or unemployed people in squatter areas. This misconception no more stands valid as health problems are on the rise among urban communities.

The existing sedentary lifestyle of city dwellers prevents being active in physical exercise although UA provide an effective alternative for physical fitness maintenance programmes.

Fourth, the existing women gender sensitivity indicates that UA is mainly for those women who earn insufficient income in the formal sector.

In this context, UA can be adopted to supplement their food baskets wherever necessary. However, by redressing of such ill-feeling through economic empowerment and gender sensitization process of UA whole family could share different roles in urban homestead development by experimenting strategies of “Vertical Development” in the overall economic development process.

By overcoming those negative perceptions an urban dweller can find four major motivations for urban agriculture in the developing world: to satisfy basic hunger, to supplement an excessively starchy diet, to supplement family income, and to reduce expenditure on food to allow other purchases (Freeman, 1991).

Different vistas in Urban Agriculture

By understanding UA with its potentials and problems it is important to open access for sustainable cityscape development process. In achieving this goal localized as well as pragmatic ideas have to be incorporated into the process by converting existing crisis form of UA into the status of agricultural entrepreneurship.

In the sphere of micro-farming technology development and communication of innovations opportunities have to be created to become an individual entrepreneur or a share-member of group enterprise in cityscape development through UA.

Those opportunities could broadly be categorized into three segments according to the physical space available for agricultural practices (Ranasinghe, 2005a).

First, “private buildingscape” where private land is not available for cultivation could be introduced. This idea carries the strategy of make use of “vertical space” for restricted space available in city constructions: e.g., rooftop gardens, balcony gardens, hanging gardens, square foot gardening, wall kitchen gardens, value added agro-processing ventures, etc.

Second, “private-gardenscape” where limited land is available for micro-farming practices is stressed. The idea behind this strategy is to establish edible-mini-gardens within the integrated farming principles for sustainable economic use.

The establishment of edible landscapes or airscapes, rain-barrel cultivations, compost-bin and worm-bin techniques, different living structure cultivations, plant nursery management, hydroponics and small livestock raring in cages (i.e., chicken, rabbit, quails) are examples for this category of opportunities.

Third, “shared-propertyscapes” where common land can be used in association with local administrative bodies are categorized into this segment. There are many ways and means in following this segment: i.e, community gardens, shared parks, condominium gardening, country lanes, and pizza or koththu-roti gardening locations.

These ventures could easily be integrated into agricultural, health, local-government, super market chains and non-government organizational planning networks in the process of partnering for sustainable cityscape development.

Promotion of Urban Agriculture

Actions in converting the simple form of home-gardening into a source of family nutrition management as well as mental satisfaction which in turn saves family expenditure or increase income levels is an ideal way to implement urban agricultural enterprise ideas in the process of urban development.

Within this context, the concept of the Family Business Garden (FBG) was introduced in 2000, in Sri Lanka. The prime goal of the concept is to integrate indigenous technical know-how with advanced scientific technology in maximizing “vertical space” of available restricted land space in urban areas (Ranasinghe, 2003).

It stands on four aims in achieving urban agricultural development goals in the global context: i.e., to convert aspect of gardening into theoretically based sustainable agri-business concept; to address key poverty issues in generating additional income for food security; to work with bettermix of modern science and indigenous technical know-how (ITK); and to make contributions for attempts to improve socio-economic-health-environment aspects of urban communities in general.

Furthermore, the concept of the FBG is based on approaches connected with either environment or commercial or otherwise combination of both in achieving its aims.

The concept of the FBG bears five important strategic components in attracting urban dwellers in the practice of UA. First and foremost, the “Family Nutrition” component advocates cultivating few locally adoptable, family-favourite cum nutritious crops in maximizing vertical space of the homestead. In appreciating biodiversity it is stressed here to practise integrated pest management techniques along with integrated farming systems.

The “Technology Adoption” component aims to accept proper blend of suitable traditional practices and modern technology so as to establish diversity in urban agricultural systems.

This component further pays the sensitivity to different economic levels of different socio-economic groups in adopting novel and viable technological innovations of UA. The “Crop Management” component addresses the importance of soil, light and water-wise gardening techniques by adopting plant nutrient recycling methods and systems in developing sustainable cityscapes.

The “Post-Harvest Technology and Value-addition” component paves the way to produce quality produces and products even though output comes from a small homestead. Quality maintenance procedures are strongly recommended here to meet local as well as global competitive market standards so as to reach long-term sustainability of micro or small agro-entrepreneurship.

The “Landscaping, and Housekeeping” component attempts to keep dignity of urban agro-entrepreneurship as well as an elegant look for cityscape. Moreover, it improves mental fitness and satisfaction to become an effective manager or manageress in agri-business by organizing homestead as well as cottage-business within city-environment.

OPA to take up bribery and corruption

At the OPA Forum Meeting held on May 24 Gerry Hidelaratchi, a Past President of the OPA and as a Past President of the Institute of Supply and Materials Management of Sri Lanka (ISMM) moved a motion that the OPA should take an active role in either minimising or eliminating bribery and corruption in the country.

This motion was unanimously accepted by the Forum and a Committee was appointed with Mr. Hidelaratchi as the Chairman to address this issue. The brief for this Committee is:

1. To appoint a monitoring Committee of the OPA, consisting of about five members including Legal, Accountants and Management personnel to follow up on all matters reported or known through media.

2. To enlist the support of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for voluntary assistance.

3. To liaise with the Department of Bribery and Corruption

4. To liaise with other relevant Organisations such as the Police, the Customs, Excise and other NGOs.

5. To encourage the public to inform matters on bribery and corruption for the attention of OPA

6. To give wide publicity for the information of pubic regarding the role of the OPA in connection with, either minimizing, or eliminating bribery and corruption in the country and to solicit the public co-operation.

7. To take action on all offences irrespective of the positions or the influence one yields, as long as there is a prima facie case.

Questions and Answers

OPA Career Guidance for the General Public

Question:

I understand that the OPA has a Career Guidance section. Is this only to assist the OPA members or the General Public as well? If so what is the assistance offered to the public. Is the Career Guidance Section situated in the OPA building?

Senathipillai - Hendala

Answer:

The objective of the OPA Career Guidance and Skills Development Unit is to facilitate career guidance and skills development, focusing on the general public. In the past it had been promoting career guidance through teachers in schools and career counsellors in various Career Guidance units, concentrating on training of trainers.

It has developed an interactive Careers Chart, which enable a student to seek a career path based on the student’s attributes. This chart is distributed free of charge to schools. The resource center at the OPA is open for reference to teachers and career counsellors by prior appointment.

*****************

Advertising by Doctors and Dentists

Question:

To what extend are Doctors and Dentists allowed to advertise their services in the print and electronic media?

Dr. Gamini De Silva

Answer:

Doctors and Dentists are not allowed to advertise their services. If they do and it’s brought to the notice of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) appropriate action will be taken.

The advertisement appearing as an article in a Sunday newspaper of May 13, 2007, which you have brought to our notice could have been by the Hospital concerned, as hospitals are allowed to advertise.

However, Doctors and Dentists can release through the media information on Health Education and Promotion of Health. Sometimes there could be a thin line between such permitted release and an advertisement. In such cases the SLMC will be the judge and take action.

In this particular case we contacted that Sunday newspaper who was not willing to disclose the source that provided the article. However, if you write to them, they will publish your letter as well as ensure that such articles of doubtful source will not be published in the future.

*****************

Arrears of Pension Prior to 1.1.1997

Question:

I am a pensioner of the Education Department. I retired on 12.4.1980. (27 years ago). According to Circular those retired prior to 1.1.1997 are eligible according to revised pension.

I draw my pension from the Divisional Secretary, Moratuwa. Please be good enough to let me know whether I am eligible for the same. If so, please be good enough to make arrangements to pay me as early as possible. I am feeble and weak, cannot see properly because my surgeries on both eyes for cataract. The sight is poor. I am 87 years.

J.E. Vethanayagam

Answer:

We contacted the Pensions Department and according to them you should have been paid the arrears of the revised pension. You should write to the Director General of Pensions along with a copy of the award letter or Teachers Record sheet.

The Director General of Pensions is at the New Secretariat Building, Maligawatte, Colombo 10. You may send a copy of your letter to the Divisional Secretary, Moratuwa. In case you require further information you could contact the Asst. Director-Public Relations, Pensions Department on Tel. 2329580.

*****************

Widows and Orphans Pension

Question:

My father-in-law, a retired Postmaster is dead and gone and my mother-in-law too dead and gone. My sister-in-law who is critically sick attended a Medical Board and drawing a w/o pension (No. 82/25590/AB2). She attended the medical board after a lapse of 1 1/2 years of the death of her father.

Normally I presume, the w/o pension’s being paid from the date of death of the Pensioner. But my sister-in-law is being paid after a lapse of 1 1/2 years from the date she appeared before the Medical Board. She has been denied of about 1 1/2 years w/o pension. Please let me know whether my sister-in-law is entitled for the lapsed W&O.P. for 1 1/2 years.

Herbert Jayasundera - Matale

Answer:

According to the W&O.P Section of the Pensions Department, if your father-in-law before his death had informed the Department of her sickness and had produced the relevant Medical Certification to the effect that she is an invalid then she would have been entitled to the W&O.P. from the date of his death.

However, if this had not been done she is entitled to her W&O.P. only from the date of the decision of the Medical Board. You may please contact the Deputy Director, W&O.P. Section of the Department of Pensions, New Secretariat Building, Maligawatte, Colombo 10.

*****************

Issuing to Temporary Registration for Foreign Doctors and Dentists

Question:

The Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) grants temporary registration to foreign doctors and dentists to practise in Sri Lanka. Is the respective profession consulted prior to granting such registration? What are the principles when granting such registration.

Dr. Gamini de Silva

Answer:

Any application by a foreign doctor or dentist for a temporary registration will be entertained by the SLMC provided the application is recommended and forwarded by the Director General of Health. Services or by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of a Sri Lanka University.

This is covered by Section 67A of the Medical Ordinance. Such temporary licence is valid for a maximum period of one year. It is not necessary to consult the profession as SLMC represents the relevant professions.

No written instruction on ethics are given to the registrant as he or she has to provide a certification of good standing issued by the Medical Council of the country of origin. However, if you or your professionals are aware of any unethical conduct by a doctor or dentist whether be foreign or local, the case could be reported to the SLMC for appropriate action.

Send in your questions

The Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) will cover questions in all professions and subjects of common interest to the public in the Daily News OPA at Your Service page every Thursday.

Please make your question brief. Questions can be directed to the OPA on e-mail; opaorg@dynanet.lk or opa@sltnet.lk / opa@mymail.lk. Fax: 2559770 or write to the Professional Centre, 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.