SDG 2, Zero Hunger: Green Nairobi – Urban Farming as a Potentially Viable Solution for Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

Urban farming is a new approach to achieving more sustainable agriculture in Africa. It is the practice of growing plants using available urban space. The aim of the Green Nairobi initiative is to provide greater access to food for residents and to increase the diversity of meals consumed. The project also promotes maintaining food security at a higher level while adhering to the principles of sustainable urban development. The case of Kenya illustrates how agricultural problems affect the entire continent of Africa and its inhabitants. The rapid urbanisation in this country is straining the entire system, not only in terms of food production but also distribution. As a result, the urban farming trend has become a crucial element of Kenya’s development strategy, with the Green Nairobi project being implemented in its capital.

When looking at the issues of malnutrition and hunger in Africa as a whole, it is immediately evident that these problems are among the most serious challenges for the vast continent. According to reports from the European Court of Auditors, as many as 20% of Kenya’s population suffers from malnutrition (European Court of Auditors, 2020, p. 7). The situation has significantly improved over the last quarter-century compared to historical data, where over one-third of Kenya’s population experienced hunger. Unfortunately, due to droughts such as the one in the Horn of Africa in 2022, the situation deteriorated drastically, with an estimated 280 million people in Africa suffering from chronic hunger (UN, n.d.). Today, the situation is improving thanks to initiatives like urban farming, of which Kenya serves as a prime example.

The concept of urban farming includes urban farms, community gardens, rooftop gardening, vertical farming, and hydroponics. The fundamental idea is that residents can cultivate plants individually or collectively within urban spaces. The primary goal is the effective use of space and the utilisation of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. This not only improves food accessibility but also enhances recycling efforts for plastic and metal materials. Community gardening plays a vital role in engaging local communities in joint activities. Rooftops of buildings are used for cultivation, maximising space efficiency and enabling agriculture in densely urbanised areas where traditional farming would not be possible. A key aspect of urban farming is vertical agriculture, utilising vertical structures to maximise yield within limited space. Large-scale urban farms also exist, employing advanced techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics to maximise production while minimising costs and space requirements.

The urban farming project in Nairobi is being implemented by the Nairobi City County Government in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The initiative began in 2022 as a response to the growing challenges of urbanisation, climate change, and urban food insecurity. Its main goal is to promote sustainable urban agriculture by establishing community and school gardens, implementing ecological cultivation methods, and developing climate awareness among Nairobi’s residents. The project focuses particularly on working with children and youth, integrating educational activities into school curricula and encouraging students to actively participate in growing vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees. Local communities are also involved in the activities, which fosters their integration and strengthens a sense of responsibility for shared space. In this context, urban farming is not only a tool to improve access to fresh food but also a way to rebuild social bonds, create green spaces, and build cities’ resilience to the effects of climate change.

This initiative has its roots in the long-standing tradition of urban agriculture in Kenya. As early as the 1990s, in response to economic crises, high unemployment, and limited access to food in rapidly developing cities, residents began to use available spaces – backyards, roadsides, and vacant lots – to grow vegetables and raise small animals. Urban farming gained support from non-governmental organisations and some local authorities as a way to improve food security and increase household self-sufficiency. Current activities continue this tradition, expanding it with new technologies, institutional support, and an educational component, making them more comprehensive and sustainable.