Page 26 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Erik Joner
Urban farming for resilience and health
Urban citizens have little knowledge of how the food we eat is produced. Through
participation in urban farming, more people can contribute to local food production and
improve their own health.
Today, over 80% of Norway’s population lives in
cities and towns. Unfortunately, more than 70% of
green spaces have disappeared from these same
cities and towns since the 1950s. This means that we
are growing increasingly distant from nature, the
earth, and food production.
But living in a city does not have to mean just asphalt
and exhaust fumes. More and more municipalities
are actively working to prioritise land for green
spaces and buzzing insects. In 2024, NIBIO pub-
lished a guide for urban farming, offering advice to
municipalities that are just starting out.
“The most important would be if municipalities can
provide good facilitation and suitable areas for urban
farming. And they must offer guidance on organising
and growing in practice,” says Dr Arne Sæbø.
“In addition, it is crucial to have passionate individu-
als who are interested and motivated to carry out the
work in practice.”
Many allotment gardens, community gardens, and
co-operative farms have too few plots and long lists
of people wanting a plot. This means there is great
potential to expand.
Additionally, there are exciting opportunities in
alternative forms of urban farming. In the German
town of Andernach, they have created a so-called
“edible city.” Here, they have planted edible plants,
fruit and berry bushes, and vegetables in the city’s
green spaces. Volunteers maintain the green spaces,
and all the city’s residents can harvest freely.
“Growing good produce can give a sense of pride
from contributing to something that benefits the
community,” says Sæbø.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: Better facilitation for urban farming in Norwegian municipalities. The benefits can be very large,
especially when considering public health, social integration, and preparedness.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norwegian Environment Agency, and municipalities
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Senior Research Scientist Arne Sæbø, Division of Food Production and Society.
Email: arne.sabo@nibio.no | Phone: 404 74 349
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