Periodic Reporting for period 2 - URBANE (One Health approaches to support agroecological transformation of peri-urban farming)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-01-01 do 2025-06-30
For rural farmers, migration to urban centers is especially pronounced in Western Africa leading to what is experienced as a rise in peri-urban agriculture. This move has benefits in economic factors for the farmers, addresses the reluctancy of younger population settling in rural areas and helps with augmenting income in LIMCs. However, this subsequent intensification of food systems raises concerns about zoonotic diseases, sanitation issues, local environmental degradation, and antimicrobial resistance linked to health risks during the transition from subsistence to market-oriented production. URBANE adopts a One Health approach and it is designed to promote sustainable practices that can tackle the challenges with intensified peri-urban farming. These sustainable practices consider the principles of agroecology, assisted also with employment of user-friendly tools and methods to measure progress and assess the impact of the agroecological transition in farming. The URBANE approach is showcased in six Africa-based case studies with the potential for transferability to other regions. Finally, URBANE will develop new or adapted business models for the six case studies, serving as exemplary models that can be replicated with suitable local adjustments informed by regional specifics.
Progress is marked in the practical work at the six case studies (WP7) achieving the targets for sample collection, analysis, and compiling of results in the form of datasets. In parallel, the work has advanced on the investigation of factors involved in occurrence & transmission of diseases in peri-urban farming (WP3). The agroecological trials (WP6) continued for a second year which in combination with the synbiotic application (WP4), show positive results. The project’s technological tools (WP5) such as the SWINOSTICS device, the portable spectrometer, smart traps, weather stations have been deployed to the case studies as per the study protocol and measurements are underway. Both the Decision Supports Systems (DSSs) have presented working versions. The DSS for farmers was completed and final step is its release as mobile application. The DSS for the authorities, is a constantly updated web platform where risks, outbreaks and recommendations are logged in real time. Moreover, the work on the integrated sustainability assessment has progressed, covering environmental, socioeconomic and human health risk assessments. The work on the design of adapted business models (WP8) has also advanced, with the first part of identification of up-scaling strategies for sustainable agroecological transition. On this work, we will design the ecosystem models to support the URBANE approach. Dissemination activities (WP9) have continued, with presence in conferences in EU and Africa, and scientific work underway. Exploitation plans and an initial patentability assessment of the tools was also initiated and will be finalized by the end of the project.
The project adopts the One Health approach, rooted in agroecology principles. Its primary focus is on the transformation of the agricultural sector, particularly emphasizing peri-urban farming. This type of farming, still in the early intensification stage in many African regions and continually expanding in Europe, is a pivotal aspect for URBANE. The initiative firmly believes that the agroecological transition should encompass all types of agricultural systems, ensuring benefits for producers, consumers, and the overall well-being of the planet. By applying agroecology, URBANE aims to enhance ecosystem, animal, and human health holistically, fostering improvements in the health of humans, non-human animals, and the broader ecosystem. URBANE is dedicated to supporting the agroecological transition of peri-urban farming by collaborating closely with local farmers. This involves providing assistance through innovative technological tools, implementing suitable policies, and introducing new business models tailored to the specific contexts of the regions involved. Through these comprehensive efforts, URBANE seeks to contribute to the sustainable advancement of peri-urban farming while considering the well-being of the environment and all stakeholders involved. The project's key results advance the state of the art in this period by integrating locally-sourced synbiotics and on-site diagnostics with national public health platforms like SORMAS. This creates a holistic, field-validated toolkit for real-time farm management. Future success now depends on securing a supportive regulatory framework for product approval, market access and finance to commercialize the solutions, and strong policy adoption to scale this model internationally.