Big Role of Small and Intermediate Cities in Food Systems
Small and intermediate cities merit more emphasis in urban planning and food system policies. Yet, the largest cities and capital cities overshadow their potential with outsized political attention.
Why do smaller cities matter? Not only are they hubs for agricultural producers and other food system actors, but the cities also serve as central locales for food processing and trading.
Many consumers live there, too. In fact, in many countries and especially in lower income regions, most of the urban population lives in small and intermediate urban centers.
City region food systems for small- and intermediate-sized cities
Improvements in urban-rural linkages for small- and intermediate-sized cities can better connect remote producers and value chains to urban centers and markets. This aligns with the concept of city region food systems, which considers that a food system includes an urban center and its surrounding peri-urban and rural hinterland.
The city region food approach can accelerate agri-business development and employment generation in value chains to better meet the growing urban food demand. The resultant boost to the local and regional economy increases non-farm employment, diversifies livelihoods and ensures small-scale farmers access to value chains and markets.