The numbers of the urban poor are on the increase; at the same time their position has been made more vulnerable by the recent food and economic crises. City authorities need to find innovative strategies to eradicate urban hunger and improve the livelihoods of the urban poor.

Urban agriculture provides such a strategy by enhancing access to fresh and nutritious food, and contributing to local economic development and social inclusion of the urban poor, especially women. It also has the effect of greening cities, promoting the productive reuse of urban waste, and reducing vulnerability to climate change.

To do this urban agriculture must be cross-cutting and multi-functional. So how can policy be developed to include all the relevant sectors and disciplines, including agriculture, urban land use planning, health, waste management, social housing and slum upgrading, and parks and nature management?

Cities, Poverty and Food presents the experience of RUAF Foundation in multi-stakeholder policy formulation and action planning for urban agriculture. RUAF has carried out programs in over 20 cities in 17 countries, under the Cities Farming for the Future program, implemented between 2005 and 2008 (see also www.ruaf.org).

This book provides valuable insights and guidelines which are essential reading for the staff of municipal authorities, producer groups and community-based organizations; for NGO field workers; university researchers; agricultural extension officers and others who seek to enhance participatory governance, urban food security, urban poverty alleviation and improved urban environmental management.