From Microfinance To Business Planning Escaping Poverty Traps

From Microfinance to Business Planning: Escaping Poverty Traps

Urban Agriculture as Local Food Systems: Benefits, Challenges, and Ways Forward

Urban agriculture has emerged as a critical area of research due to the increasing pressures of population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change, and land use changes on agricultural productivity and food security. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the vulnerabilities in global supply chains, leading to limited food availability and underscoring the need for resilient local food systems (LFS). LFS, which involve locally or regionally produced food sold directly to consumers, offer a promising approach to ensuring a steady food supply during crises. This transition towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems can enhance access to safe and healthy food, benefit farmers, boost local economies, reduce dependency on imported food, promote environmentally friendly production, conserve local biodiversity, and mitigate climate change. Policymakers, planners, and advocates are increasingly recognizing the broader benefits of LFS, including community building, diversified economies, civic engagement, and climate resilience. Urban agriculture, through community gardens and urban farms, plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development goals such as reducing urban poverty, improving health and well-being, creating sustainable cities and communities, mitigating climate change, preserving life on land, and fostering partnerships among stakeholders.

Indian Journal of Economics

Vol. 2-33 include Papers read at the annual conference of the Indian Economic Association.