Future food security might be as close as the backyard

Recent extreme weather events, especially floods, have exposed the fragility of food supply lines to Australian cities. Under the increasing threat of climate change, securing the future production and distribution of nutritious, affordable food is looming as a global problem.

Researchers from Griffith University, the University of Queensland and Macquarie University have looked at this issue and published their findings in a report for the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF). Lead author Professor Paul Burton, from Griffith University, says urban agriculture may become a vital part of solving these problems in Australian cities.

“We increasingly recognise that a variety of practices that exist under the broad heading of ‘urban agriculture’ can contribute to achieving more secure food supplies for urban Australians,” Professor Burton said. “These practices range from backyard and rooftop gardening to community gardening and composting schemes and the planting of edible landscapes.”

Climate change is not the only threat to our future food supplies.

“Rising fuel prices affecting food transportation costs, the loss of valuable agricultural land to urban development and diminished income for farmers and producers from the duopoly of major food retailers ... are just some of the factors putting pressure on the availability and distribution of food resources,” Professor Burton said.

As well as providing information on existing urban food production in Australia, the NCCARF report identifies impediments to expanding those agricultural practices. One limiting factor is that many people need to be shown how to grow their own food.

“Training is vital. If you can’t actually keep your plants alive and produce good food then people are unlikely to participate,” Professor Burton said.

The report also urges government to take a greater role in encouraging community engagement.

“In order to develop a more secure network of productive and flourishing community gardens and small-scale commercial urban food producers, we need political commitment to ensure sufficient funds and space is provided. It must become part of mainstream urban planning,” Professor Burton said.

“We hope this report will stimulate greater community awareness of the benefits of urban food production and also highlight the need for effective policy frameworks to support urban agriculture.”

The report can be viewed at www.nccarf.edu.au/publications/urban-food-security-resilience-climate-change.