Based on the fact that urban agriculture has successfully been promoted in other cities from a marginal to an integral urban land use strategy, this study explores the concept of urban agriculture as a logical approach in improving quality of life as well as a potential implementing program to various policies in Quezon City, Philippines.
The study discusses urban agriculture as a means of livelihood by analyzing its benefits specifically for improving the overall quality of life of poor households by stretching the concept beyond the usual food security.
By analyzing social, economic, and environmental benefits of urban agriculture of four barangays in Quezon City, Philippines, the study was able to prioritize quality of life domains which could be improved through the promotion of urban agriculture and how the latter leads to improving each of them.
From the findings, potentialities such as availability of vacant and idle lands, poor population, and vision direction, new legislations to promote farming in metropolis were identified that could be used as basis in turning UA as a livelihood means for poor households in Quezon City.
However, several constraints identified also need to be addressed, such as slow adoption of the concept due to change of governments and competition with other urban land uses, land tenure particularly for poor households, land use and development planning.
The study therefore recommended a more inclusive urban development planning approach in the treatment of urban agriculture and identified favorable policies to foster livelihood opportunities and determination of programs that help fulfill implementation gaps of policies that prioritize poor urban households.
Through this, possible strategies that can be integrated in development planning in improving urban agriculture activities and assist turn Quezon City into a farmable as well as a hub of livelihood opportunities for poor households were provided.