This work was conducted as part of the CGIAR Research Initiative, ‘Resilient cities through sustainable urban and peri-urban agrifood systems’ supported by contributors to the CGIAR Trust Fund , and long-term strategic funders to the World Vegetable Center.

It has been estimated that by 2050, 70% of the world’s expected 10 billion people will live in cities. Food insecurity is a growing urban problem while overnutrition is also rising sharply. Rapid urbanization place a substantial burden on urban food supply systems. Urban and peri-urban agriculture can contribute to a more sustainable future and contribute to household food and nutrition security. Small plots can be grown on homesteads, abandoned spaces, roadsides, field sides, and in containers even by the poorest residents, with little or no land.

Two scoping studies that looked at how seed and seed systems could be improved to support increased vegetable production in the capital cities of Bangladesh and the Philippines, commissioned by WorldVeg, were recently concluded.

Dhaka and Manila are amongst the most densely populated areas in the world. Residents rely on relatively expensive vegetables often produced far away, and consumption is below recommended levels for good health. But arable land is developed for housing, commerce, and industry, and urban consumers are increasingly concerned about the quality of fruit and vegetables in local markets because of the chemicals used to grow them. As a result, there is an increasing interest in safe urban and peri-urban agriculture.

Both the governments of Bangladesh and the Philippine recognize urban agriculture as a means to increase food security. These studies found that to improve urban farming systems and vegetable production, the supply of quality vegetable seed and seedlings can play a pivotal role. The increasing demand but inadequate supply creates an opportunity for seed and seedling businesses. This nascent urban industry needs support from both the public and private sectors.

Recommendations from Bangladesh reveal that urban farming should be supported through effective policies and initiatives that ensure the availability of quality seedlings. Most home gardeners have limited farming knowledge and would benefit from training. Many nurseries in Dhaka do not have trading licenses, and measures are needed to legalize their activities by easing the registration process. Proper training should be designed and delivered to improve skills on all aspects of seedling production, alongside promotion of recyclable plastic elements in seedling systems.

Recommendations from the Philippines include that the quality of seedlings supplied by government nurseries should be improved by training on good nursery practices. Community training is also needed in disease management, alongside support to groups for selling produce through farmers markets. Private commercial nurseries that are all located in rural areas, have the potential to provide higher quality seedlings, making them ideal partners.