The various face(t)s of urban agriculture: evidence from secondary towns in Ethiopia

Urban agriculture (UA) is often proposed as a solution to feed cities sustainably and nutritiously. Yet, research on secondary towns is limited, despite their central role in Africa's urbanization, and studies on the entire supply chain are scarce. This study uses a qualitative approach to explore the technical, institutional and commercial aspects of UA in two Ethiopian secondary towns, Dessie and Kombolcha, focusing on leafy vegetables due to their nutritional importance. Using purposive sampling, we conducted 68 key informant interviews and 11 focus group discussions with farmers, traders and officials. Through a thematic analysis, we identified three UA typologies: peri-urban commercial farms, home gardens and agriculture under the Urban Productive Safety Net Program (UPSNP). Nearly 90% of leafy vegetables consumed locally are sourced through UA, underscoring its importance. However, insecure land rights, limited policy support and informal trading systems hinder its impact. Each UA type plays a distinct role: peri-urban farms are most productive, home gardens enhance household nutrition, and UPSNP supports the poorest. Informal markets also cause post-harvest losses, especially affecting women, who face disproportionate barriers. To fully realize UA's potential, inclusive and gender-sensitive policies that address the diverse needs across production systems and the supply chain are essential.