Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural Cooperation
According to the statistics almost sixty percent of the global population currently lives in urban and peri-urban areas. It is obvious that the fastest-Growing peri-urban areas are urbanized and many of these areas are the main sources of food supply, with urban and peri-urban farming be reduced and declined and we need to reinvest in peri-urban areas resilience. Food energy security has been one of the central pillars for countries around the world as safe Food is essential for human development and economic growth. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern, transformed Food Systems for all, it is important to note that the nature of access is also qualified by being reliable and affordable enough to ensure the fulfillment of basic needs to meet the development of innovative Food systems, infrastructure and Business Models, mainstreaming Urban and Peri-Urban, Rural Cooperation. Although there are some policy interventions, there is a scope for much more from an affordable Food demand perspective especially in sectors such as processing agriculture and SME’s. The dominant narrative on Food Systems transformations has been from a supply-side perspective. Even in the narratives around climate change, the Just Transitions narrative has been highjacked by only supply-side discussions. A holistic approach is needed for inclusiveness in Food Systems sustainability by considering both supply side and demand side dimensions. Demand side measures would need reliability and compatibility of food supply aspects to enable Food consumption and make it available for all social groups.