Urban agriculture is not ‘agriculture light.’ While its multilayered structure and multifunctionality may be appreciated by urban food growers, urban planners, and entrepreneurs globally, it remains largely misunderstood by policy makers across all levels of government in Australia. However, its multidimensional aspects are, in many ways, a more advanced form of agriculture than the conventional or mainstream agriculture we are familiar with.
This was the principal inspiration for Gleanr’s submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Food Security in Australia, which was launched late last year, only a few months after the United Kingdom initiated a similar inquiry. Our submission’s general aim was to generate interest at Commonwealth level for more critical attention to the potential of urban agriculture as a value-add to the nation’s food security strategy. Indeed, globally there has been increasing acknowledgement of the link between the two areas. The quality of the submission was such that it led to an invitation for Gleanr to appear as witnesses at a hearing held in Parliament House (Brisbane) on July 10, 2023.
While the breadth and depth of the numerous points that our submission and the hearing covered is too wide for this blog post, Gleanr intends to publish a broader document in the next edition of Gleanings, which will be made available to all users of our Gleanr platform. In this post, however, we will share a few items discussed at the hearing.
One of the key points we sought that the Committee appreciate was the fact that urban agriculture is not merely a soft activity but a viable economic activity attracting interest from investors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, governments, and other stakeholders worldwide. We provided examples and suggested that it is entirely possible and likely that international companies specialising in urban farming at scale can disrupt our local food systems. Years of investment in research and development have led to the creation of urban farming enterprises that have significant capacity.
We also alerted the Committee to the fact that, in the absence of a strong strategy, we could easily see urban agriculture develop unevenly. Gleanr believes that urban agriculture has the potential to be regarded as an agile instrument within a larger food security roadmap for Australia. But before that turns into reality, there must be a strategic level of recognition that urban agriculture needs to ensure capacity for diverse models to coexist. Whilst most people would recognise enterprises like community gardens, many would not be aware of the full scale of different models of food production in urban and peri-urban areas, which was another vital point made in our submission.
The diversity of food production methods in urban settings should be enabled through urban planning and policies to accommodate different types of urban farming, including soil-less farms, social enterprises, rooftop farms, community gardens, as well as nurturing lifestyle activities such as home gardens.
While we also recognise that urban agriculture could be perceived by established agriculture stakeholders as potentially disruptive, our view is that this is misleading and that urban agriculture provides ‘opportunity’
The majority of a total of 176 submissions centred around conventional understanding of agriculture, with scant mention of urban agriculture as an emerging facet of food production. During our discussion with the panel we drew their attention to the fact that there was little, if any, mention of urban agriculture in submissions by Australian universities or State Governments. The combined effect is that many key developments and research into urban agriculture worldwide are ignored; a key point that Gleanr trusts would be rebalanced by increased attention being paid to urban agriculture, not only by the committee as it continues its inquiry, but also by relevant government departments generally.
During our discussion, we emphasised multiple aspects of urban agriculture, including its capacity to engage young people and children in agribusiness (especially given the fact that workforce planning is a major factor in the agricultural sector). In the same vein, Gleanr hopes that the Committee will begin to view urban agriculture as a circular food system that encompasses various auxiliary activities such as recycling, composting, seed production, water and soil improvements, tourism, education, and wellness programs.
While we also recognise that urban agriculture could be perceived by established agriculture stakeholders as potentially disruptive, our view is that this is misleading and that urban agriculture provides ‘opportunity’. This view is echoed in Food and Innovation Limited (FIAL)’s report ‘Capturing the Prize,’ in which urban agriculture is seen as an area of significant growth opportunity. Gleanr also recognises that such opportunity can play a transformative role in First Nations communities through the integration of cultural agroecology. This could add a distinctive aspect of urban agriculture in Australia that other nations may find hard to emulate.
Gleanr also addressed a few perceived concerns that are regularly raised (for instance, soil and water contamination risks in urban areas, as well as the impact of urban food production on existing farming communities) and urged the committee to consult a substantial body of literature, both academic and grey, and to engage in broader conversations with stakeholders in the urban agriculture niche market.
In our opening statement, we underscored our view of how urban agriculture can be reimagined:
“If we were able to ensure that an average child in Australia can walk to the nearest grocery store within 15 minutes, we can be equally successful in ensuring that every child can access a local food garden within the same timeframe to witness the growth of carrots firsthand or, even better, to get involved in growing them.”
Gleanr believes that food security in Australia will depend on foresight that accepts the fact that food production is a ‘story of food’ which includes urban community participation, not just consumption. We are mindful that when new dimensions such as urban agriculture are introduced into what has been a conventional industry for a very long time, it is important to be balanced.
Our goal was that the Committee would develop a pointed interest in urban agriculture from a wider perspective and consider how it could enhance Australia’s existing capacity for developing a nuanced food security policy, beyond merely focusing on quantity of produce; or, as Charles Darwin would say, ‘be careful and dare’.
If you would like to hear more about Gleanr’s work on contributing to Australia’s food future, drop us a line.
