Urban and peri-urban agriculture in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Around the world, urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) has evolved into a new socio-political manifestation that can endorse social solidarity, environmental education, and leisure activities. It is also a way to support the urban poor in middle and low-income counties and ensure food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, global shocks, pandemics, and crises (e.g., food crisis 2008, COVID- 19, climate change) have illustrated the vulnerability of the global food supply chain, as well as the need for resilience in cities' long-term food security, shedding more light on UPA's multiple functions in densely populated areas, offering an alternative land use and greater genuine value. Considering the present worldwide governmental push to promote urban agriculture and contemplate its consequences on urban dwellers and their environs, it is vital to investigate Egypt as one of the world's most populous countries, with densely packed cities and significant poverty rates. Using a systematic literature review, this article studies the impact of UPA in Egypt. Data were gathered using the Scopus database and supplemented with information from grey literature. The findings demonstrate that UPA can perform a wide range of socio-economic and environmental roles, including aesthetic urban design, waste management, circular economy, energy use efficiency, microclimate control, preservation of cultural heritage, biodiversity conservation, and health and well-being promotion. However, there is possible apprehension concerning soil erosion, extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, contamination from wastewater resulting from the poor implementation. Finally, while UPA can make a beneficial difference in Egypt, socio-political, cultural, and technical hurdles may stymie its growth.