Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Systems Training Course

Course Introduction

Urban and peri-urban agriculture has emerged as a critical strategy for enhancing food security, improving nutrition, generating employment, and strengthening the resilience of cities and surrounding communities. Rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, and increasing pressure on food systems have created a growing need for innovative agricultural approaches that can supply fresh, nutritious food close to consumers. Urban agriculture encompasses a wide range of production systems including rooftop gardens, vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, container gardening, community gardens, and commercial peri-urban farming enterprises. This course provides participants with practical knowledge and skills to design, manage, and scale sustainable urban and peri-urban agricultural systems.

As cities expand, the demand for locally produced food continues to increase while available agricultural land becomes more limited. Urban and peri-urban agriculture offers opportunities to utilize underused spaces, improve environmental sustainability, reduce food transportation costs, and create income-generating enterprises. Participants will explore the principles, benefits, challenges, and policy dimensions of urban agriculture while learning how to establish productive farming systems that contribute to economic development, environmental management, and community well-being.

The course provides a comprehensive understanding of various urban farming technologies and production systems suitable for diverse urban environments. Participants will gain practical knowledge of soil-based and soilless cultivation systems, protected agriculture, vertical farming, rooftop production, hydroponics, aquaponics, and smart farming technologies. Emphasis is placed on maximizing productivity within limited spaces while ensuring efficient use of water, nutrients, energy, and other resources.

Environmental sustainability forms a central component of urban and peri-urban agriculture. Participants will learn how urban farming contributes to waste recycling, water conservation, biodiversity enhancement, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The training explores circular economy principles, resource recovery systems, composting, renewable energy integration, and sustainable production practices that strengthen environmental performance while supporting profitable agricultural enterprises.

The course also addresses business development, market access, food safety, and value chain management within urban agricultural systems. Participants will examine strategies for developing commercially viable enterprises, identifying market opportunities, implementing quality assurance systems, and leveraging digital technologies for production monitoring and marketing. Special attention is given to emerging consumer preferences, local food movements, and innovative business models that enhance competitiveness and profitability.

By the end of the training, participants will possess the technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial competencies needed to establish and manage successful urban and peri-urban agricultural enterprises. They will be equipped to apply innovative production technologies, improve food system resilience, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to healthier, greener, and more resilient urban communities through modern agricultural solutions.

Duration
5 days

Who Should Attend

• Urban farmers and commercial producers
• Peri-urban agricultural entrepreneurs
• Agricultural extension officers and advisors
• Municipal and city planning officials
• Agribusiness managers and investors
• Community development practitioners
• NGO staff involved in food security programs
• Agricultural researchers and scientists
• Environmental sustainability professionals
• Youth and women agripreneurs
• Cooperative leaders and producer organizations
• Food system planners and policy makers

Course Objectives

• Develop comprehensive understanding of urban and peri-urban agriculture systems and their role in sustainable food security.
• Equip participants with practical skills in designing and managing productive urban farming enterprises and projects.
• Strengthen capacity to implement innovative technologies including hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming systems.
• Build expertise in efficient resource management practices that optimize land, water, nutrients, and energy utilization.
• Enhance understanding of climate-smart and environmentally sustainable agricultural production approaches in urban areas.
• Develop practical skills in urban food safety management, quality assurance, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to establish profitable agribusiness models and access urban agricultural markets.
• Equip participants with knowledge of circular economy principles and resource recovery systems supporting sustainability.
• Improve capacity to integrate digital technologies and smart farming tools into urban agricultural operations.
• Prepare participants to develop resilient urban food systems that support livelihoods, nutrition, and environmental goals.

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture

• Concepts, definitions, and evolution of urban and peri-urban agricultural systems worldwide
• Role of urban agriculture in food security, nutrition, and local economic development
• Opportunities and challenges associated with farming in urbanized environments
• Emerging global trends influencing urban food production and sustainability initiatives

Module 2: Urban Agriculture Planning and System Design

• Assessing land availability and suitability for urban agricultural development projects
• Designing productive farming systems for limited urban and peri-urban spaces
• Site selection criteria and infrastructure planning for urban farming enterprises
• Integrating agriculture into urban planning and sustainable city development frameworks

Module 3: Soil-Based and Protected Cultivation Systems

• Raised-bed gardening systems for efficient urban food production environments
• Greenhouse technologies supporting year-round crop production and quality management
• Container farming approaches suitable for densely populated urban communities
• Sustainable soil management practices improving productivity and environmental health

Module 4: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, and Vertical Farming

• Principles and applications of hydroponic production systems for urban agriculture
• Aquaponics integration combining fish production and crop cultivation efficiently
• Vertical farming technologies maximizing production within limited urban spaces
• Emerging innovations improving efficiency and profitability of soilless farming systems

Module 5: Resource Efficiency and Climate-Smart Agriculture

• Water-efficient irrigation technologies supporting sustainable urban crop production
• Climate-smart agriculture strategies enhancing resilience to urban environmental challenges
• Renewable energy applications supporting sustainable agricultural operations and productivity
• Resource optimization approaches reducing operational costs and environmental impacts

Module 6: Waste Management and Circular Economy Approaches

• Organic waste recycling systems supporting nutrient recovery and soil improvement
• Composting technologies transforming urban waste into valuable agricultural inputs
• Circular economy models integrating food production and waste management systems
• Sustainable resource recovery practices supporting environmental and economic benefits

Module 7: Pest Management, Food Safety, and Quality Assurance

• Integrated pest management techniques suitable for urban agricultural environments
• Food safety standards and practices protecting consumer health and confidence
• Quality assurance systems supporting compliance and market competitiveness objectives
• Urban agriculture regulations affecting production, processing, and food distribution activities

Module 8: Agribusiness Development and Market Access

• Business planning and enterprise management for urban agriculture ventures
• Market analysis and identification of profitable urban food market opportunities
• Branding, packaging, and value addition strategies enhancing product competitiveness
• Digital marketing approaches connecting producers directly with urban consumers

Module 9: Smart Farming Technologies and Data Management

• Internet of Things technologies supporting precision urban agriculture management
• Mobile applications and digital platforms for farm monitoring and decision-making
• Data analytics tools improving productivity, efficiency, and resource utilization outcomes
• Artificial intelligence applications transforming modern urban farming operations

Module 10: Policy, Governance, and Future Trends

• Urban agriculture policies supporting sustainable development and food system resilience
• Governance frameworks influencing urban agricultural investment and implementation success
• Emerging technologies shaping the future of urban and peri-urban food production
• Strategic action planning for scaling sustainable urban agriculture initiatives effectively

Training Approach          

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.