URBAN COMMUNITY FARMING: LESSONS FROM JAPAN'S CHOKUBAI MODEL FOR BUILDING SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i36.1698Keywords:
community farming, social enterprise, Net-map, sustainable community, Chokubai Model civic ecology, community gardenAbstract
This study examines the feasibility of implementing community farming as a framework for community-driven social enterprises in urban Malaysia. Inspired by Japan’s Chokubai model, which emphasises the direct sale of locally produced goods, this study explores its potential to improve food security, economic empowerment, and social cohesion in highly urbanised areas. A roundtable discussion with nine key stakeholders was conducted using the Net-Map tool to map actors, relationships, and influences within the community farming ecosystem. This participatory approach identified critical factors contributing to project sustainability, highlighting that while government agencies provide substantial support, the most significant determinant of success is the community’s active involvement. The study also noted challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and funding, which could be addressed through targeted policy interventions. The study concludes with strategic recommendations to promote community farming projects in urban Malaysia, addressing both policy and implementation challenges.
Downloads
References
Adams, J., & Pahl, C. (2020). Urban farming and social enterprises: A pathway to community resilience. Sustainability, 12(9), 3894. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093894
Ahmad, S., Rahim, R., & Ismail, A. (2021). Social enterprises and urban agriculture: A Malaysian perspective. Journal of Urban Studies, 56(4), 562-579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jurbstud.2021.04.002
Dalimunthe, M. A., Ohorella, N. R., & Nasution, N. F. (2023). The development of urban farming: Systematics literature review. Journal of Peasants’ Rights, 2(2), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.32734/jpr.v2i2.13390
David, L., & Blondet, T. (2023). Urban food systems in the age of neoliberalism. Journal of Urban Agriculture, 12(3), 45-62.
Doherty, B., Haugh, H., & Lyon, F. (2014). Social enterprises as hybrid organizations: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 16(4), 417-436.
Harrison, J., & Wolf, S. (2023). Neoliberal governance and urban agriculture: Implications for equity and sustainability. Agriculture and Human Values, 40(1), 17-30.
Lin, C., Zhang, Y., & Lu, J. (2021). Urban agriculture as a mechanism for social inclusion: Lessons from global case studies. Agriculture and Human Values, 38(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-021-10201-z
Machado, R. (2020). Community gardens in Curitiba: Strengthening social ties through urban farming. Sustainable Cities and Society, 74, 103130.
Mahmood, N. Z., Aslam, M., & Yusof, M. (2019). Urban agriculture as a mechanism for building social cohesion: A Malaysian case study. Sustainability, 11(3), 731–747. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/su1130731
Matsuda, T., Yamamoto, K., & Ishikawa, R. (2021). Enhancing resilience in local food systems through direct sales during crises: The case of Chokubai in Japan. Journal of Rural Studies, 86, 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.02.001
Mokhtar, S. R., Mokhtar, M. A. M., & Ismail, M. N. (2022). The potential of urban farming for food security in Malaysia. Planning Malaysia, 20(2), 97-112.
Rahman, N. A., & Ishak, S. Z. (2020). The role of urban farming in sustainable city development in Malaysia. Planning Malaysia Journal, 18(1), 89–104.
Seyfang, G., & Smith, A. (2007). Grassroots innovations for sustainable development: Towards a new research and policy agenda. Environmental Politics, 16(4), 584-603.
Schiffer, E. (2007). Net-Map toolbox: Influence mapping of social networks. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Tanaka, K., & Suzuki, H. (2022). Consumer preference for localized food supply chains: Lessons from Chokubai during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 14(4), 2147. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042147
Zulkifli, M. F., & Kamaruddin, R. (2019). Urban agriculture for low-carbon cities: Case studies in Malaysia. Planning Malaysia Journal, 17(3), 33–47.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
