Call for experiences and effective policy approaches in addressing food security and nutrition in the context of changing rural-urban dynamics

Template for submissions(Approximately 1000 words in total)

Proponent

Mazingira Institute

Main responsible entity

Nairobi City County

Date/Timeframe

2015-2017

Funding sourceNairobi City County, plus Mazingira Institute channeling funds for training from Rooftops Canada, Global Affairs Canada and IDRC

Location Nairobi, Kenya

Background/ContextMazingira Institute has hosted the Nairobi and Environs Food Security, Agriculture and Livestock Forum (NEFSALF) and farmers’ network since the early 2000s, including lobbying for policy change on urban food security and agriculture. In 2010 it was established that the majority of children living in informal settlements in the City are malnourished, as is also the case in other African cities, mainly due to low incomes and lack of employment making food unaffordable to many.

Focus/ObjectivesIn 2013, Nairobi City government was devolved under the 2010 Constitution and became responsible for agriculture in the city. It passed the Urban Agriculture Promotion and Regulation Act in 2015. The objectives of the Act include:Item a. “To contribute to food security through the development of agriculture in the county by empowering people and institutions through allowing and facilitating agricultural activities for subsistence and commercial purposes”Item d. “Regulate access to land and water for use in urban agriculture within the county, giving priority to residents of high density and informal settlements”.In late 2015 Nairobi City County conducted a sensitization workshop for senior staff on the purposes and implementation of the Act. The workshop was supported by Mazingira Institute. In March 2016 Nairobi City County held a two-day Intersectoral Training on Urban Food Systems and Agriculture, in collaboration with Mazingira Institute.

Key characteristics of the experience/processThis was a collaboration between government and civil society towards improved governance and food systems management in a primate city of Eastern Africa. The over-arching characteristic of the process has been to implement a new piece of legislation developed under Kenya’s Constitution and Bill of Rights which includes the right to food, within the framework of Kenya’s institutional structures and towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and sustainable, resilient cities.The Nairobi City County government has consolidated its pioneering role in integrating agriculture and food security into urban local administration and governance. Within the framework of the Nairobi Strategic Plan 2015-2025, it has brought together different sectors of local government to implement a novel piece of legislation that aims at alleviating hunger and poverty while protecting food safety and the environment.

The training course consisted of five modules:Module 1: Urban Food Production and Agriculture

a. NCC’s presentation on agriculture and the 2015 Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture Promotion and Regulation Act

b. Urban agriculture in Africa and globallyc. Urban Agriculture and waste management in the food systemd. Discussion on implementing the 2015 Act

Module 2: Urban Food Systems Policy and Planninga. The urban agri-food systemb. Urban food systems: a world-wide policy challengec. Local government jurisdictions in the food systemd. Other stakeholders in the food systeme. Discussion on Nairobi’s inter-sectoral opportunities and challenges

Module 3: Planning and Design for Urban Food Systemsa. Challenges of planning and design for urban food systemsb. Components of urban food systems that need planning and designc. Types of food spaces in Nairobid. Case of NACHU housing cooperativee. Discussion on planning and design food systems in Nairobi

Module 4: City and Regional Food Economiesa. Urban agriculture, incomes and povertyb. Agro-ecology v WTO and trade agreementsc. Making the local and regional food economies workd. Services and programs to get small farmers out of povertye. Discussion on Nairobi City County’s food system as a productive sector

Module 5: Urban Food and Nutrition Securitya. Urban food and nutrition security globally and in Africab. The right to adequate food and nutrition – how urban agriculture helpsc. Veterinary public health and livestock consumption – learning from Nairobid. Aquaculture, fish and water managemente. The way forward for Nairobi City County

After the course, evaluation in consultation with an international City Region Food Systems Training Group of which Nairobi City and Mazingira Institute are members, it was decided in future course to add a sixth Training Module on Waste Management and Re-use.

Key actors involved and their roleThe process was led throughout by the Nairobi City County’s Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry and Natural Resources Sector. Officers from the various Departments, including Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries prepared the training materials for officers from their own and other sectors of City government. A task force was established for this purpose.Staff of the Mazingira Institute collaborated fully with the City staff in preparing the training materials and delivering training courses, as members of the Task Force.The City of Toronto, Canada, participated in the training course, in the person of the Head of its Food Strategy. Toronto is conducting parallel training at home, and is a member of the City Region Food Systems training Group.

Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systemsIt is too early to assess the impact of either the Nairobi UA Promotion and Regulation Act, or the training course of March 2016, although post workshop evaluation was favourable. The measurement of food and nutrition security in Nairobi, particularly low-income informal settlements should be done later to assess any changes in key indicators in relation to the 2010 data.

Challenges faced

There is a long history of neglect of the widespread phenomenon of urban agriculture in African cities and a legislative history that either restricts of ignores it. Food security itself has not been an item for local urban governments until very recently. Likewise various related professions such as town planning and urban design as well as public health have not adequately incorporated these subjects into their curricula for professional training.

Lessons/Key messagesUrban poverty and hunger need sustained collaborative input from a wide range of concerned institutions, but in particular decisive leadership such as has been shown by the City County Government of Nairobi.