Urban gardening improving environment in cities: experts at a seminar
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Urban gardening has an important role to play in improving the economy, environment and health of cities in Bangladesh, experts said at a seminar today.
It reduces poverty and food insecurity resulting from urbanisation, improves the health of city residents and preserves the environment, they said.
Urban gardening allows low-income families to meet their needs for vitamins, minerals and plant protein by providing direct access to fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables every day, the experts added.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) through its Dhaka Food System project has trained and provided resources to 440 community members across the capital to help them grow their own produce.
Almost all the trainees were women.
Brac, the Platform of Community Action and Architecture (POCAA), Proshika and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), FAO co-hosted the seminar at the KIB Convention Hall in Dhaka on the role of urban gardening in reducing food and nutrition insecurity in urban areas.
"Urban gardening has been a big success in the communities we have supported with training and it has the potential to improve many more poor people's lives throughout Dhaka, as well as other cities in Bangladesh," said John Taylor, chief technical adviser to the FAO's Dhaka Food System project.
"Not only can families from poor communities feed themselves with nutritious food, they can earn money from selling their produce. What's more, urban gardening leads to health, therapeutic and environmental benefits, and can also strengthen community bonds."
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