MULTI STAKEHOLDER ACTION PLANNING
RUAF Cities Farming for the Future Programme (RUAF-CFF) facilitates participatory and multistakeholder policy formulation and action planning (MPAP) on urban agriculture in Beijing. This MPAP approach is well adapted to promote multi functional (peri)-urban agriculture and involves multi-stakeholder processes.
The Institute of Geographical Sciences & Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is cooperating with the China Urban Agriculture Association, the Beijing Recreational and Entertainment Agriculture Association, the Beijing municipal and sub-level governments, universities and other institutes, to support the enhancement of urban agriculture in the peri-urban planning in Beijing. This platform brings different actors involved in peri-urban agricultural development, like farmers, entrepreneurs, farm-cooperatives, universities, research institutes, and government departments together; facilitates the integration of urban agriculture into city development plans and urban policies; and seeks to design longer-term action plans to support the development of sustainable urban and peri-urban agriculture in Beijing. Particularly in its multifunctional form that includes agricultural productivity, ecological protection, and social inclusion. Major activities are research and dissemination of innovative concepts; advocacy and lobbying; and providing inputs and support to policy making process.
Periurban agriculture on the city agenda
Urban and peri-urban agriculture has been integrated in both socio-economic and land use planning of Beijing municipality. A key element in the city’s efforts to develop peri-urban agriculture is the “2-2-1 Action Programme on Urban Agriculture”, a comprehensive long-term programme initiated by the Beijing municipal government in April 2004 that:
maximises utilisation of resources and the market (2 basis concepts)
mobilises the supportive inputs of capital and technology (2 major inputs)
facilitates (1) information platform for sharing agro-technologies and experiences.
Land use planning of Beijing metropolitan area has divided the city into different zones to encourage different functions according
to their comparative and competitive advantages. These zones are:
Intra-urban: green spaces and parks, agroexhibitions, allotment gardens.
Sub-urban: sightseeing, agro-parks, ecoeducation, landscape management.
Peri-urban plains: intensive high-tech agriculture and livestock keeping.
Mountainous areas: village-based agrotourism, ecological protection, cultural heritage
Implementation
The RUAF-China platform has persuaded the Beijing government and local governments, such as Miyun County, to support peri-urban agriculture. It has also established a partnership with two farm cooperatives and universities including the Agriculture University of China, Beijing Agriculture College and Beijing Agricultural Bureau.
The RUAF-China platform contributes to the policy making process by undertaking research on innovative concepts and by balancing the values and benefits of various stakeholders. For instance, it facilitates more frequent and interactive cooperation between enterprises and farmers, and integrates the agro-chain from production to service involving consumers, visitors and technology experts.
Particular attention is given to the situation of migrant farmers in Beijing. Three villages located in inner (Chaoyang district) and interim (Shunyi district) Beijing were therefore selected as study sites. An in-depth analysis was undertaken with 15 migrant farmer households and other actors, such as the local government, enterprises, merchants, transporters, farmers’ organisations, consumers, NGOs and a village council. Through these interviews the main issues facing migrant farmers were identified.
In Shunyi, working closely with a local NGO, Shunyi Sannong Association established a platform for policy makers, farmers and researchers. This platform now provides ideas for local farmers as well as informing researchers and policy makers about
current and future issues related to peri-urban agriculture, and as such seeks to improve the public’s awareness and perception of peri-urban agriculture.
Key results
Agreement has been established among farmers, citizens, experts and policy makers on the important roles of multi-functional agriculture in peri-urban development.
Explicit attention is given to socio-economic and land-use planning, that includes urban agriculture, by Beijing and local governments.
Three pilot projects have been developed, which serve as examples for both farmers and policy makers.
Frequent communication between practitioners, policy makers and researchers via personal contact, domestic meetings and an international workshop, has been established.
A network on peri-urban agriculture has been established, which is expanding to other cities including Shanghai, Chengdu, Lijiang, and Nanjing.
So far, there are four books, one report, five dissertation and three papers publicated. All documents regarding this work can be found at http://www.cnruaf.com.cn and in English at http://www.ruaf.org
FROM SEED TO TABLE
In Tongzhou district of Beijing, urban producers have identified several “most promising options”, including green house production of a special type of cherry tomato and vegetables. The products will be sold to customers directly through a box system. Preliminary testing and marketing of these boxes proved to be quite successful. The business now involves 123 households. Further technological improvements, the use of improved seeds and marketing will receive specific attention in the coming period.
In Huairou district of Beijing, the development of mushroom production is ongoing, including several producer cooperatives. The production of mushroom is being promoted by the Huairou District Administration, which will allow for further upscaling. Currently the business involves 144 households.
PRODUCTS
interview by China Daily on urban agriculture and food security in Beijing
CONTACT
The partners of the RUAF China network on urban agriculture are:
Beijing Recreational and Entertainment Agriculture Association (Liu Junping, Beijing coordinator)
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS
Beijing Research Centre on Rural Economy
Beijing Municipal Rural Affairs Committee
Beijing Modern Agriculture
Beijing Rural Tourism
Crab Island Resort
China Association of Agricultural Science
Beijing Recreational and Entertainment Agriculture Association (Liu Junping, Beijing coordinator)
Beijing Shunyi Initiative of Agriculture, Countryside and Farmers’ Research
Hunrun Food Group
Beijing Agriculture College
Agriculture University of China
Regional Coordination
Prof. Dr. Cai, Jianming
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Datun Rd.11 A, Anwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
Tel: +86-10-64889279
Fax: +86-10-64889279
Email: caijm@igsnrr.ac.cn
Website: http://www.cnruaf.com.cn/
|
Thread abonnieren
ETF-Sparplan