Views on urban agriculture (UA) benefits: A perspective from Thiruvananthapuram’s urban non-agricultural practitioners

Introduction

Urban farming can be seen as a strategic solution to address some of the pressing challenges faced by rapidly growing urban areas, including food and nutritional insecurity, environmental degradation, and socio-economic inequalities. It has emerged as a pivotal solution and a catalyst for enhancing the well-being of urban residents, encouraging greater participation in farming activities within their urban settings. Urban agriculture presents a promising opportunity to contribute to more sustainable and resilient urban communities, even amidst city expansions and resource constraints. Integrating agricultural practices into the urban environment not only serves as a means of local food production but also promotes the adoption of circular economy strategies at the city level. This approach helps close energy and mass loops while supporting the restoration of natural cycles and enhancing the environmental services of ecosystems. Urban agriculture is a localized food system where the production, processing, distribution, access, consumption, and disposal or recycling of food take place within and around urban areas (Smit et al., 1996) [22] . This practice can help create a better micro-climate, conserve soil, reduce waste in cities, and enhance nutrient recycling. Additionally, it can improve water management, biodiversity, the O 2 -CO 2 balance, and raise environmental awareness among city residents (Deelstra and Girardet, 2000) [7] . Agricultural activities in urban settings can also enhance the value and quality of life by promoting economic and socio-cultural benefits through the cultivation of plants and animals in various urban spaces (Viljoen et al., 2005; Mougeot, 2006) [26, 15] . A key characteristic of urban agriculture is not just its geographical location but also its integration into the city's economic, social, and ecological systems (Wilson, 2009) [28] . While urban farming may not generate sufficient food to fully replace conventional agriculture, it can significantly enhance food security in urban areas both systematically and in terms of emergency preparedness (Darcel et al., 2019) [6] . Perceptions regarding the significance of personal food production indicate that urban farming households view this practice as vital for their survival (Omondi et al., 2017) [17] . Urban agriculture has the potential to empower communities by fostering collaboration among institutions and engaging them in community development efforts (Almeida et al., 2006) [1] . Urban green spaces are well recognized as a nature-based solution that supports, among other things, social cohesion (Peters, 2010) [18] , climate change mitigation and adaptation (Kabisch et al., 2016) [10] , www.extensionjournal.com and healthy urban living. According to findings by Ramaloo et al. (2018) [21] , gardeners were able to achieve some economic savings through their own food production and community food exchange. Integrating urban agriculture into city planning offers a promising advantage for creating a resilient urban environment and improving urban residents' livelihood options. Although there is a developing area of inquiry into urban farming and its effects, much of the attention has been directed towards the experiences and outcomes of urban farmers and agricultural practitioners. This often neglects the perspectives of non-agricultural urban residents, who constitute the majority of city populations. Despite not being directly involved in farming activities, non-agricultural practitioners still stand to gain numerous benefits from urban agriculture initiatives. Understanding the perceptions of urban non-agricultural respondents is essential for the successful integration and expansion of urban agriculture projects within urban planning frameworks. By assessing their insights on social, economic, health, and environmental benefits, this research aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of how urban agriculture is perceived beyond those directly involved in it. The results of this inquiry are needed for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders who aim to enhance public support for urban agriculture initiatives and ensure their long-term sustainability.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation of Kerala state during 2023-24. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation was selected purposively because, it is the largest Urban Local Body by area and population in Kerala (AMRUT, 2017) [2] . The In the context of this study, perception is operationally defined as the clear understanding and awareness of the benefits of urban agriculture held by urban non-agricultural respondents. It encompasses how individuals interpret and make sense of urban agriculture and its benefits mainly social, economic, environmental and health. Recognizing that perception can vary significantly among individuals due to differing backgrounds and experiences, this study seeks to capture a holistic view of how urban non-agricultural practitioners perceive urban agriculture. Perception of urban non-agricultural respondents was measured by the procedure developed by the researcher. To systematically measure perceptions, four main dimensions namely, social benefits, health benefits, economic benefits and environmental benefits were identified based on a thorough review of existing literature and discussions with subject matter experts. In total, 30 statements were initially formulated to reflect these dimensions. The statements were carefully edited and refined in accordance with established criteria proposed by Edwards (1969) [8] and Thurstone and Clave (1929) [24] . These criteria emphasize the importance of clarity, relevance, and the ability of the statements to effectively capture the perceptions of respondents regarding the benefits of urban agriculture. To assess the relevance of www.extensionjournal.com each statement, they were evaluated by judges using a fivepoint scale: 'Most relevant,' 'Relevant,' 'Somewhat relevant,' 'Less relevant,' and 'Not relevant,' with corresponding scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The statements were analyzed based on their relevance scores, and only those with a relevancy score of 80 or above were included in the study. As a result, 20 statements were selected from the total 30 statements, with 5 statements assigned to each of the four dimensions. These 20 positive statements were then administrated to respondents, who rated them on a five-point scale: 'Strongly agree,' 'Agree,' 'Somewhat agree,' 'Disagree,' and 'Strongly disagree,' with scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The arbitrary scale ranged from a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 100. Based on the scores obtained across all benefits of urban agriculture measured in the scale for urban nonagricultural respondents, they were categorized into three categories of perception namely poor, good and better based on mean and standard deviation.

Results and Discussion

Table 2 and figure 1 represents the data on the overall perception of urban non-agricultural respondents regarding the benefits of urban agriculture. The majority of respondents (50%) fall into the good category, followed by 40% in the better category, and 10% in the poor category.

The scores range from 58 to 93, with an average score of 82.80, indicating a generally favorable attitude toward urban agricultural practices. The greatest percentage of respondents exhibiting a good perception, followed by those with a better perception, highlights a rising recognition of urban agriculture's multifaceted benefits, including improved access to fresh produce, environmental improvements, and community engagement. These findings are consistent with earlier studies on urban agriculture that project the role of these farming practices in supporting urban food systems and improving community well-being. Many individuals participate in urban farming due to their passion for gardening, as it offers them a space for cultivation, access to fresh food, and opportunities for social interaction (Corrigan, 2011) [5] . In certain cases, urban agriculture has become essential for the survival of citizens, providing financial benefits. Additionally, it enhances food security for farming households in various contexts (Poulsen et al., 2015) [20] . 2 present data on the perceptions of urban non-agricultural respondents regarding the social, economic, health, and environmental benefits of urban agriculture. The results reveal significant insights into the multiple role of urban agriculture in the urban environment. The analysis shows that a large proportion of respondents view urban agriculture positively across various benefits. Social benefits: The majority of respondents (60.00%) had a good perception regarding the social benefits of urban agriculture, while 27.50% had a better perception. This reflects an increasing acknowledgment of urban agriculture as a means of fostering community connections, social interactions, and cultural engagement. Only 12.50% of respondents exhibited a poor perception. The fact that the majority of respondents demonstrated a good perception, followed by those with a better perception of the social benefits in this study, suggests that even non-agricultural respondents recognize the importance of urban agriculture in strengthening communities and enhancing social cohesion. Urban agriculture can positively influence activism, promote gender equality, enhance social cohesion and inclusion, support education, and help preserve cultural heritage. It fosters a collective sense of responsibility toward the local food system, leading individuals to reflect on themselves and their neighbors, ultimately resulting in satisfaction with their mutual achievements (Postek et al., 2021) [19] . Urban agriculture can contribute to the social inclusion of marginalized groups while also boosting their self-esteem, self-management skills, and entrepreneurial abilities (Bailkey et al., 2007) [3] . Even sack gardening has enhanced farmers' social capital by strengthening connections between farmers and their non-farming neighbors, promoting improved social networks among participants in gardening organizations, and fostering a greater sense of community (Galleher et al., 2015) [9] .

Economic benefits:

The perception of economic benefits is similarly positive, with 62.50% of respondents had a good perception regarding the economic benefits of urban agriculture, while 22.50% had a better perception. Around 15% of respondents held a poor perception. The favorable perception may arise from the understanding that urban agriculture can provide economic benefits through increased access to fresh produce and potential income generation from selling surplus crops. Respondents may perceive urban agriculture as a means to strengthen local economies by creating jobs and reducing food costs for urban residents, thereby enhancing overall financial stability. Many individuals in developing countries are increasingly www.extensionjournal.com embracing urban agriculture as a direct means of generating income by managing their own businesses (Khan et al., 2020) [11] . The most frequent type of urban agriculture encountered is the family farm, combining production for self-consumption with sales on the market to raise income (Moustier & Danso 2006) [16] . Urban agriculture plays a crucial role in providing supplementary income and serves as a key component of the livelihood strategies for many individuals (Thys et al., 2006) [25] . It has the potential to improve living conditions by facilitating direct access to food and increasing food availability, which in turn can generate revenue through the sale of agricultural products (Warren et al., 2015) [27] .

Health benefits: Regarding health benefits, 60.00% of respondents had a favorable perception rating of good while 20.00% exhibited both good and poor perceptions equally.

The positive perception may be due to the belief that urban agriculture can enhance mental and physical health by offering access to nutritious food, encouraging physical activity, and alleviating stress through interaction with green spaces. Homegrown foods significantly increase the availability of food within a household, helping to prevent hunger and malnutrition. Access to fresh, locally grown produce, especially fruits and vegetables, enhances the nutritional status of household members, which in turn improves their overall health. For particularly disadvantaged households, direct access to food often enables them to enjoy a more varied diet (Stewart et al., 2013) [23] . Participation in urban agriculture can contribute to improved disease management through better nutrition and access to home-grown medicinal plants, increased physical activity, reduced reliance on gifts and food assistance, and heightened self-esteem (Lock & de Zeeuw, 2001) [13] .

Environmental benefits: The majority of respondents (67.50%) had a good perception regarding the environmental benefits of urban agriculture, while 22.50% had a better perception. The favorable perception may be attributed to the respondents' belief that urban agriculture systems can enhance urban biodiversity and offer essential ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and climate resilience. This includes a more diverse vegetative structure, an increase in native plant species, and a reduction in urban impermeable surfaces. Green spaces contribute to the creation of an efficient, localized, and stable food system that promotes the development of sustainable urban environments by cutting down food miles and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, they enhance carbon sequestration and help lower greenhouse gas emissions (McDougall et al., 2019) [14] . Urban agriculture is advocated as a viable solution for combating climate change, as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by shortening the food supply chain and minimizing both quantity and quality losses associated with long-distance transportation. Studies have shown that urban agriculture boosts food production, lowers greenhouse gas emissions (Kulak et al., 2013) [12] , and supports biodiversity (Clucas et al., 2018) [4] .

Conclusion

Based on the results, it is clear that there exists a positive and favorable perception regarding urban agriculture and its benefits among urban residents, even though they are not directly engaged in it. The generally positive perception regarding the overall benefits of urban agriculture indicates that urban non-agricultural residents often observe the activities and successes of their neighborhood farmers, www.extensionjournal.com which can lead to greater recognition of urban agriculture. They may witness improvements in local food availability, aesthetics, and environmental conditions resulting from the farming practices of their fellow farmers. The favorable insights of urban non-agricultural respondents recognize urban agriculture as a critical component of sustainable urban development, which further assists urban planners and policymakers in expanding urban farming initiatives to a greater extent. Holding such a positive perception is advantageous for promoting urban agriculture projects that emphasize community engagement, environmental sustainability, and food security.

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