Thematic Cities Cluster

Sustainable Agriculture Value Chain Development

The South-South Cities Cluster on Sustainable agriculture and value chain development offers a space for knowledge sharing and collaboration between cities partners of the Global South on sustainable agriculture and how to grow, process, and sell the food that consumers eat—from farm to table.  

The agriculture sector is one of the largest sources of household income and plays an essential role in poverty reduction in many developing. Yet, needs remain strong in addressing biodiversity loss, water insecurity, pesticide-related deaths, extreme climate events, soil and water pollution, and other challenges arising from unsustainable agricultural practices and associated land-use change.  

The COVID-19 intensified the underlying challenges by disrupting the agriculture supply chain and driving post-harvest loss in low-income countries (FAO, 2020). Further, the desert locust crisis starting in early 2020 compounded the crisis across countries in greater Eastern Africa, Southwest Asia, and the area around the Red Sea (FAO, 2021). As a result of these factors as well as pre-existing conditions including armed conflicts and insecurity, food prices rose by close to 20% globally between January 2020 and January 2021, and the number of people in food insecurity increased drastically (World Bank, 2021). 

The Cities Project will continue focusing on this thematic area and implementing partnership building, capacity development, knowledge, and good practice sharing, pilot and demonstration activities jointly with specialized UN agencies in this area and relevant stakeholders including local governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations focusing on this field. 

The Cities Project welcomes city partners interested in participating in this Cities Cluster on Sustainable Agriculture and Value Chain Development and hopes the knowledge exchanged here leads to more South-South cooperation and a swift post-pandemic social and economic recovery 

Featured Members of this Cluster

Baguio

The Philippines

Baguio is located in the island of Luzon, which is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. Its geographic location is at 16.411999° N and 120.59834° E with an elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level. The City has a resident population of 366,358 for 2020 growing at 1.54% per year that can reach 600,000 to almost 1 million during peak season of tourist arrivals. Nighttime population is 380,000. Population density is placed at 6,005 per square meter.

It is a landlocked mountainous City also referred to as the “City of Pines” and the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”, popular for its temperate climate and rich cultural background. It has a land area of 5,749 hectares. As to its land cover: 9.81% are declared as watershed and protected forest; 1.41% as parks and recreation areas; 11.04% are open spaces; and the rest are settlement areas.

The City is 206 kilometers away from Manila which takes about four (4) hours to drive. It serves as the gateway to other municipalities in the Cordillera Region mountains. It is the only highly urbanized City in the region. The city is the center for education, trade and tourism in the Cordillera region. It was also declared as a UNESCO Creative City because of its rich culture and tradition on arts and crafts.

Baguio City is also home to one of the country’s most profitable Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) areas called the Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ). The BCEZ caters to 44 locators which produce textiles, wearing apparels, electronics, plastic products and others. Production output in the BCEZ accounts for the bulk of the Cordillera’s total exports. The city is also considered the financial center of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). There are 82 banks operating in the city. Of these, 48 are Commercial, 23 are Rural and Cooperative and 11 Thrift banks. Baguio City is still the Summer Capital of the Philippines and remains to be among the top 14 destinations in the country. It is also among the top 20 destinations for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition (MICE). It received close to 1.3 million tourists in 2016, with tourism receipts amounting to Php 8.1 billion.

Baguio, the Philippines

FAO

Sudan

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in Sudan has been operating for more than 35 years, dating back to May 1977. The Organization provides technical, policy and other capacity development support within the broad context of strengthening national capacity to achieve results in the food security and livelihoods sector, and implements its programme in close collaboration with government line ministries, UN partners, international and national NGOs. Collaboration with national NGOs is particularly important in areas where access for UN staff is prohibited. FAO field staff work closely with these service providers to monitor beneficiary selection, distribution of inputs, progress, reporting and other project activities.

FAO Sudan

Izmir

Turkey

Located on the west coast of Turkey by the Aegean Sea, Izmir belongs to the broader region of Southeast Europe, and is one of the major port cities in the Mediterranean. Izmir province stretches over an area of 12.000 km2 and comprises 30 districts, 11 of which are situated in the metropolitan area.

Thanks to its favorable geographical location, climate, water resources and fertile lands, the 8500-year-old city has been the home of many civilizations and cultures. Today, the city celebrates its unique culture, which stems from its heritages, cuisine and cosmopolitan lifestyle where the sea and the agriculture play an influential role. Izmir’s cultural vision is to evolve into a city of arts, design and innovation, ensuring biodiversity, and eco-friendly production and distribution models. Another aspect of this vision involves developing trans-border relations and making Izmir a node in major city networks by promoting interactions and diversity. The municipality aims at making İzmir more prosperous, democratic, inclusive, just, equal, safe and sustainable with its cultural policies.

Izmir, Turkey

Janjanbureh,

the Gambia

Janjanbureh Area Council, located in the Central River Region - South, comprises of 6 Constituencies (Janjanbureh, Niamina West, Niamina East, Niamina Dankunku, Lower Fulladu West and Upper Fulladu West) and 12 Wards (Maccarthy, Catamina, Jareng, Kudang, Dankunku, Brikamaba, Fulabantang, Kerewan, Sare Sofie, Daru, Bansang and Galleh). Like other area councils, JAC is mandated under the Local Government Act of 2002 to administer the affairs of the Janjanbureh Local Government Authority (LGA) and provide for the needs and welfare of residents living in the area.

Located in the southern part of the Central River Region (CRR), the Janjanbureh Local Government Area is typically rural, with one major growth center (Janjanbureh). The LGA has a total land area of 1,428 Km2, which is the third smallest LGA in terms of size, aside from Banjul and Kanifing.

According to the IHS 2015/16, poverty in the Janjanbureh LGA (71.4 percent) as measured by the headcount index is above the national average of 48.6 percent. The LGA is the second poorest LGA after Kuntaur (72.4 percent). Between 2010 and 2015/16, poverty rate in the Janjanbureh LGA has generally worsened, increasing from 54.2 percent in 2010 to 71.4 percent in 2015/16.

Janjanbureh, the Gambia

Khajura

Nepal

Khajura Rural Municipality, also known as Khajura Bazaar is a Rural Municipality in Banke District in the Bheri Zone of Province No. 5, Nepal. Khajura is the major market center where trade and agriculture are the major source of income. Traditional agriculture is commonly practiced in Khajura. But due to lack of agricultural instrument, the income generated from agriculture activities is relatively low.

Khajura Rural Municipality will soon become the third Municipality in the Banke District. As a Rural Municipality, Khajura will assume greater local government autonomy and greater financial resources as part of the central government's effort to promote decentralized power.

Khajura, Nepal

Roskovec

Albania

Roskovec is a town and municipality in Fier County, south-central of Albania. The municipality was formed at the 2015 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities Kuman Kurjan, Roskovec and Strum.

The natural resources, monuments, traditions, land products, local cuisine and hospitality combined with the infrastructure projects undertaken by the Municipality are gradually turning Roskovec into a tangible tourist attraction.

Commemoration of the ``City Feast`` or ``Olive Feast`` as an annual celebration, placement of works of modern art in its squares and streets, preservation and promotion of the values of material culture and development of numerous cultural, artistic and sports activities show that the quality of life in Roskovec has begun to change.

Roskovec, Albania

São Paulo

Brazil

The São Paulo City Hall is the government office in charge of management and control of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. São Paulo is a municipality in the Southeast Region of Brazil. The metropolis is an alpha global city and the most populous city in Brazil and the largest Portuguese-speaking city in the world. The city is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest state in Brazil. It exerts strong national and international influence in commerce, finance, arts and entertainment.

São Paulo, Brazil

WFP

China

The office of the World Food Programme (WFP) in China serves as the WFP Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation to enhance South-South and Triangular cooperation. The Centre helps to share China’s rich experience in food security, nutrition improvement, and poverty alleviation with other developing countries by facilitating policy dialogue and research, technical training and exchange, expert advice, and other activities pursuant to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 17 (Partnering for the Goals).

There are four prioritised thematic areas for South-South Cooperation engagement including the Value Chain Development for Smallholders, Post-harvest Loss Management and Food Systems, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Resilience, and Innovative Poverty Alleviation Initiative.

WFP China

Shah Alam

Malaysia

Shah Alam is a city and the state capital of Selangor, Malaysia. It is located within the Petaling District and a small portion of the neighboring Klang District.

Shah Alam is also one of the major cities within the Klang Valley, an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. The Klang River flows through Shah Alam on its way westward to the Strait of Malacca.

Shah Alam, Malaysia

Mumbwa

Zambia

Mumbwa District is situated about 140Km from Lusaka and has a population of approximately 176,620 people. 88,762 are females (50.3%) and 87,858 are males (49.7%). Its average annual Population Growth Rate stands at 3.2%, and the population distribution is 10.7 per km2.
The district has a total land size of approximately 23, 800 km2.

Mubmwa, Zambia

Gansu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GPAFFC)

China

Gansu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GPAFFC) is a not-for-profit civil group, whose work is guided by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). GPAFFC aims to increase mutual understanding and nurture friendship between people from around the world and promote exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, society, culture, science and technology and education.

Gansu Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (GPAFFC), China

Tandil

Argentina

Tandil is located in the southeast of the province of Buenos Aires, in Argentina. Its surface, of almost 5,000 square kilometers, houses a population of more than 140,000. The rhythm of the city goes hand in hand with the joint work between the public and private sectors, the latter characterized by the diversity of its economic activities, such as agriculture, livestock, tourism, metalworking and food industry, technology, and software development.

Tandil is also positioned as a special place to rest, with incomparable landscapes and walks, framed in the oldest mountain system in Argentina. This is perfectly complemented by an adequate infrastructure for temporary and permanent lodging, suitable for the practice of outdoor recreational activities and leisure, together with great cultural and sporting activity.

Tandil, Argentina

Afadzato

Ghana

The Afadzato District is one of the 46 administrative districts created in 2012 with its capital at Ve-Golokuati, about 58km from Ho, 20km from Hohoe, and 200km from Accra. The total land area of the district is 553.0 square Kilometres about 3.06 % of the total land size of the Volta Region. Moreover, the location of the district has the potential to boost both local and foreign trade.

The Afadzato South District Assembly exists to improve both social and economic life of her people through efficient and effective resource mobilization, maintaining a strong agricultural base for further industrial development, being a leading tourist centre in Ghana and preserving cultural heritage of her people and the Region at large.

Afadzato, Ghana

Esteban Echeverría

Argentina

Esteban Echeverría is located in the Gran Buenos Aires urban area in Buenos Aires Province in Argentina.

The provincial subdivision has a population of 300,959 inhabitants (in 2016) in an area of 120 km2 (46 sq mi), around 29 km (18 mi) from Buenos Aires. It is named after the poet and novelist Esteban Echeverría.

Esteban Echeverría, Argentina

Zambia Institute of Trade Policy (ZITP)

Zambia

Zambia Institute of Trade Policy (ZITP) is a trade policy think-tank that contributes to enhanced competitive and productive trade led sustainable growth.

Our mission is to conduct independent empirical evidence-based trade policy research and play an advisory and advocacy role intended to contribute to a robust, sustainable and inclusive development focused trade policy framework at national, regional and global levels.

Thematic Areas that ZITP works on include:
✓ Trade Policy and Trade Law Research and Development
✓ Trade Negotiations
✓ Training and Membership Services
✓ Trade Policy Advocacy and Development

Zambia Institute of Trade Policy (ZITP), Zambia

Qutoof Professional Development

Jordan

Founded in 2015, Qutoof is a non-profit professional development organization aiming to establish a high caliber center of excellence in Jordan for achieving sustainability and green growth indicators with extra emphasis on developing the sector of waste management and the recycling industry in the region.

Qutoof Professional Development, Jordan

International Exchange and Cooperation Division

Hunan Agricultural University, China

Hunan Agricultural University has a history of over 100 years. Carrying on the traditions of loving and contributing to agriculture, the University has evolved into a multidisciplinary institute with particular strength in agriculture.

The University has established close relations with over 100 universities, international organizations and government bodies from more than 30 countries and is one of the higher education institutions in Hunan province that started joint education programs from the earliest stage.

International Exchange and Cooperation Division of Hunan Agricultural University, China

Council for International Science & Technology Industries Cooperation (CISTIC)

China

Council for International Science & Technology Industries Cooperation (CISTIC) aims to promote the transfer of and the cooperation in technology, enterprises, talents and products both domestically and internationally. CISTIC is a cooperative partner of the Nordic-China Startup Forum (NCSF), China-Netherlands, and China-Korea Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum in China.

Council for International Science & Technology Industries Cooperation (CISTIC), China

College of International Development and Global Agriculture

China Agricultural University

Established in 2020, the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA) is a comprehensive platform of China Agricultural University that brings together multidisciplinary fields around international development and global agriculture based on decades of the university’s explorations on both bring-in and going-out development research and talents fostering.

The College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), China Agricultural University

Hunan Provincial Foreign Science & Technology Exchange Centre (HNSTEC)

China

Hunan Provincial Foreign Science & Technology Exchange Centre (HNSTEC) was established in 1982 under the authorization of the Hunan provincial government and is a specialized agency in charge of international exchange and events on science and technology.

HNSTEC’s main responsibilities include liaison and coordination for bilateral and multilateral science and technology cooperation and exchange, organization of academic activities, field visits and expos and exhibitions, coordination of important civil science and technology exchange and cooperation, and promotion of its science and technology achievements.

Hunan Provincial Foreign Science & Technology Exchange Centre (HNSTEC), China

Yuxi

China

Yuxi is located in the central Yunnan Province with a total mass area of 15,000 square kilometers, 14th largest in the province, and a population of 2 million according to the 7th National Census. Yuxi is famous for its picturesque natural scenery and is one of the top ten ecological livable cities in China. Yuxi also has rich natural resources – be it minerals or flora and fauna.

Yuxi, China

Food Security for Peace and Nutrition

Africa

Food Security for Peace and Nutrition-Africa (FSPN-Africa) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with a shared vision of solving food and nutrition insecurity in Africa with a ‘’farm to fork’’ approach as a tool for peaceful coexistence among African communities.

FSPN Africa prides itself as a partner against hunger working with youth and women smallholder farmers at the grassroot level towards food and nutrition security, together with our established partnerships with CBOs and other stakeholders.

Food Security for Peace and Nutrition, Africa

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences

China

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences was established in 1958. Over the past six decades, the Academy has developed into a comprehensive research institute with 15 research centers covering all industries from agriculture and forestry to animal husbandry and fishery.

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences has conducted about 100 scientific projects with over 30 countries, such as the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Canada; signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with universities and research institutes from over 30 countries; established 11 international joint laboratories.

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China

Latest News and Updates

Cities Clusters - AgricultureCities ProjectNews
November 23, 2023

UNOSSC Cities Project Facilitates Collaboration Between Gurbhakot, Nepal, and Nanjing, China on Agro-industrial Park Planning

From 17 to 20 November 2023, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Cities Project and officials from Gurbhakot, Nepal undertook a field visit to Nanjing, China. The visit…
Cities Clusters - AgricultureCities ProjectNews
April 18, 2022

Cities in Hunan, China, and Karnali, Nepal exchange Agricultural Practices for Poverty Reduction

Beijing, 13 April 2022: The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) organized an online exchange event on agriculture among cities of China and Nepal, with support of the Hunan…
Agriculture and Food Security PublicationsCities Clusters - Agriculture
February 3, 2022

Factsheet: SSC & TrC in Sustainable Agriculture and Value Chain Development in Nepal

Agriculture and Food Security NewsCities Clusters - AgricultureCities ProjectNews
November 18, 2021

Consultative Workshop on Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Value Chain in Nepal

10 November 2021, Beijing: The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Cities Project team organized the mid-term pilot workshop between Khajura rural municipality of Nepal, UNDP Nepal, WFP Nepal,…