Constraints and coping strategies of urban agriculture households in Namibia's informal settlements during COVID‐19

The global outbreak of the unprecedented COVID‐19 pandemic has posed numerous challenges in the agro‐food systems worldwide urging the need to build resilient food systems for food security. Urban agriculture (UA) has the potential to contribute to resilient and sustainable food systems. This study investigated the impact of COVID‐19 on UA practices in the informal settlement of Windhoek, Namibia. Samora Machel and Tobias Hainyeko constituencies were purposively selected using a stratified two‐stage probability sampling design within each constituency to select the study sites and a sample of 59 households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with open‐ and closed‐ended questions. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to identify constraints and coping strategies employed by urban farmers in informal settlements. Households that participated in the study were engaged in UA with 60.4% male‐headed households. Horticultural crop production (67.2%) and mixed farming (18.2%) were the main activities. The major constraints were high input costs (74.6%), inadequate land (61%), and unavailability of water (59%). The major coping strategies were intensified/started production (43%), use of alternative locally available inputs and resources (22%), changed marketing strategy (11%), and reduced hired labor (8%). The community resilience was weakened during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A holistic and integrated approach to urban planning and policy that recognize UA within the broader food system is required. There is a need to strengthen policy on land use and infrastructure planning that incorporates both formal and informal food systems and enhances disaster risk preparedness. Core Ideas Urban agriculture (UA) is constrained by several factors such as limited land, inadequate water, limited skills, and unclear legislative frameworks. COVID‐19 exacerbated the challenges in UA through the COVID‐19 measures implemented such as lockdown, curfews, market closures, and travel restrictions. UA participants implemented various measures such as making use of locally available resources and use of social media for marketing to ameliorate the effects of COVID‐19. UA community resilience was weakened due to low adaptative capacity and high community vulnerability as a result of COVID‐19 and prevailing social economic conditions. Policy support, capacity strengthening, and disaster preparedness are needed to enhance community resilience in the face of future pan