Understanding commercial urban agriculture - An overview

From 2021 through 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, University of Bologna, Wageningen University and Research, University of Liège and others conducted an exhaustive study assessing the state of commercial urban agriculture (CUA) globally, with special focus on countries in which the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) operates. Their key findings are summarized in this groundbreaking report. It differs from other studies in its focus on urban agriculture as a for-profit enterprise, exploring the inherent risks, challenges and opportunities associated with investing in agriculture in urban settings and paying due attention to its social, economic and environmental implications. The report outlines the pros and cons of the various business models employed by CUA enterprises and addresses issues pertaining to their sustainability, scalability and overall readiness for investment. The goal is to better inform investment decisions. This publication is part of the Directions in Investment series under the FAO Investment Centre's Knowledge for Investment (K4I) programme.