A new study suggests that urban and near-urban agriculture could play a crucial role in sustaining mid-size cities following a global catastrophe. Our JSTOR Daily colleagues Matt Boyd and Nick Wilson have recently shared their work in PLOS One. In it, they featured Palmerston North, New Zealand as a real world case study to support their findings. This moderate warm city is a typical model city as most of the world cities.
The research demonstrates that urban agriculture alone cannot feed Palmerston North’s entire population. It’s an important piece of a much broader strategy to ensure our food security. More specifically, the study suggests that urban agriculture could feed no more than a fifth of the city’s residents. To permanently achieve food security, it underscores the importance of actively farming at least 1,140 hectares of more in-demand, near-urban land.
The Case Study of Palmerston North
Palmerston North was chosen due to its median size and temperate climate, making it an ideal candidate for examining the potential of urban agriculture in varying scenarios. Researchers employed Google Earth image analysis to investigate the experience landscape. Their goal was to understand both the potential and the limits of urban farming within city limits and surrounding communities.
These results reveal the immense potential of urban agriculture to increase food production. Yet, we can’t rely on just local, nearby farmland to feed the whole population, and certainly not with the diversity we need to be truly healthy. This potent mix gives cities such as Palmerston North the power to strengthen their food security against potential global shocks.
Optimal Crops for Various Scenarios
From the model, it was able to identify optimal crops based on varying climatic scenarios. Under optimal climate conditions, potatoes prove to be the best target crop for peri-urban agriculture. In more extreme scenarios, such as nuclear winter, the research points to wheat and carrots as prime candidates for cultivation. Furthermore, sugar beets and spinach are featured as stars in these extreme circumstances.
Given this intense focus on a few crops, the importance of adaptability for evolving farming practices has never been more crucial. By selecting resilient crops that can thrive in varying climates, cities can enhance their food security and reduce dependence on external food sources.
Biofuel Production and Sustainability
Pushing beyond food security, the research beyond also touches on energy needs. Our study recommends reserving an additional 110 hectares of farm land to grow feedstock biofuels, that’s canola/rapeseed. This project would help meet the fuel needs for ag equipment, further greening onsite farming activities.
By integrating biofuel production into urban and near-urban agricultural strategies, Palmerston North could not only secure its food supply but meet energy demands. Some of us taking this dual approach want to highlight the intersection of food and fuel security in post-apocalyptic scenarios.
Implications for Global Cities
The impact of this research goes far beyond Palmerston North – literally. This new research provides an excellent snapshot of cities from every continent. It uncovers some valuable lessons on how we can better structure urban and peri-urban farming to meet these challenges of the future. The study seeks to advance what we know about urban agricultural potential, in particular under the auspices of global disasters.