Urban Agriculture as a Strategy for Local Development and the Fight Against Poverty: The Rosario Case, a United Nations Award

Abstract

Written by an agronomic engineer from Rosario's (Argentina) Urban Agriculture Program, this article presents the institutionalization of urban agriculture as public policy in that city, recognized with a United Nations award, in a context of high poverty despite the agro-export wealth of the surrounding Pampas region. The author describes the program's agroecological approach, aimed at technological self-reliance through low-cost, locally produced inputs, documenting the operation of approximately 500 gardens, 30 medicinal-plant gardens, and 6 weekly fairs, with prominent participation by women. The text describes the quality certification granted to agrochemical-free products and complementary urban-integration projects.