Ketahanan Pangan, Lapangan Kerja, dan Keberlaniutan Kota: studi Pertanian Kota di Enam Kota Indonesia

Commonly, it is perceived that there is no problem with food security in the cities. The economic crisis that was started in 1997 in Indonesia, however, showed that food security in the cities is not always guaranteed, particularly for the urban poor. Not only that in some circumstances, food suply is limited, but also because the price of the food is too expensive for the poor. During the crisis, some poor urban communities in Indonesian have to spend more than 50% of their income for food. The issue of food security for the urban poor is therefore crucial, as it is showed from the fact that some urban poor were not able to provide enough and healthy food for their children. Further, job opportunities that are generated from urban farming is also very significant, not to mention other environmental benefits that existed. Despite all these benefits, urban farming is an ill-understood activities. This paper presents the result of an on going research on urban farming in six cities in Indonesia (Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Cirebon, Salatiga, and Pacitan). The research finding so far shows that urban farming has helped urban poor to increase their food security, to increase their income, and to create job opportunities. Besides, urban farming also contribute positivelly to the environment as it uses vacant-unutilized land whithin cities. Many problems, however, are faced by urban farming activities, particularly access to finance, skill and knowledge, lack of support from the government, and no association for urban farmers. This study concludes that the benefits of urban farming are lost behind the myths that are products of cultural, planning and policy biases. It suggests that policy innitiatives should be developed to help urban farming to optimally contribute to increase food security in the cities, to create job opportunities, and to support urban sustainability. Such policy innitiatives may include: better urban land use planning, access for credit, training for urban farmers, and establishing networks among urban farmers. Keywords: Food security, urban poor, citie