Women in Urban Agriculture: Equity, Innovation and Sustainable Food Processing

The Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 provides an important opportunity to recognize, amplify, and advance the contributions of women across agricultural and food systems. Women play essential roles not only as farmers and producers, but also as processors, entrepreneurs, innovators, knowledge holders, community leaders, and participants in local food value chains. Their contributions are particularly significant in urban and peri-urban environments, where agriculture is increasingly connected with local food security, livelihoods, nutrition, resource recovery, and sustainable food processing.Urban and peri-urban agriculture is emerging as a critical component of resilient and sustainable food systems, particularly in the Global South. Women play a central yet often under-recognized role in these systems, as cultivators, processors, entrepreneurs, and knowledge holders. Their contributions extend beyond production to value addition, food processing, waste valorization, and local food distribution networks. Despite this, structural barriers such as limited access to land, finance, technology, infrastructure, markets, training, and decision-making spaces continue to constrain their full participation.At the same time, women are developing and sustaining innovative approaches that combine traditional and indigenous knowledge with contemporary technologies, value addition, circular processing, digital tools, and locally adapted food enterprises. With increasing global emphasis on sustainable food processing, circular bioeconomy, and inclusive development, there is a growing need to highlight women-led innovations that integrate traditional knowledge with modern technologies. This Research Topic aims to situate women at the center of the discourse on sustainable urban food systems.While significant literature exists on urban agriculture and gender in food systems, there is a clear gap in integrating women’s roles within the framework of sustainable food processing and value-added innovations. Current research often treats production, processing, and socio-economic dimensions in isolation, overlooking the interconnected contributions of women across the food value chain. Additionally, limited attention has been given to emerging technologies such as decentralized processing, food product design, and biomass valorization through a gendered lens.In recognition of the Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, this Research Topic seeks to provide a platform for documenting and sharing these diverse contributions while strengthening the evidence base for gender-inclusive and sustainable food-system transformation. Emphasis is placed on women’s leadership and innovation across urban and peri-urban food value chains, including sustainable processing, product development, waste valorization, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption.Through interdisciplinary research, reviews, perspectives, and case studies, the collection aims to increase the visibility of women’s knowledge and achievements and stimulate dialogue on the policies, technologies, institutions, and collaborative approaches needed to create more equitable, resilient, and sustainable urban food systems.This Research Topic seeks to bridge these gaps by addressing the following key objectives:(i) To examine how women contribute to sustainable food processing and innovation in urban and peri-urban contexts;(ii) To analyze systemic barriers and enablers influencing women’s participation in food value chains;(iii) To highlight interdisciplinary approaches integrating technology, policy, and social inclusion;(iv) To provide evidence-based insights that inform equitable and sustainable food-system transformation.Recent advances in digital agriculture, circular processing technologies, and policy frameworks supporting gender inclusion make this a timely and necessary scholarly intervention.This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the intersection of gender, urban agriculture, and sustainable food processing. The collection will emphasize interdisciplinary research spanning technological, socio-economic, and policy dimensions.Sub-themes- Women-led innovations in urban and peri-urban food processing- Gender equity in access to processing technologies, infrastructure, and markets- The role of women in circular food systems and biomass valorization- Indigenous and traditional knowledge in food processing and preservation- Sustainable product development and entrepreneurship by women- Policy frameworks and institutional support for women in food systems- Case studies from the Global South and underrepresented communities- Digital tools, AI, and smart technologies enabling women in food value chainsManuscript types: Original Research, Review, Systematic Review, Mini-Review, Perspective, Brief Research Report, Data Report Topic editors: T. Anukiruthika, Stuart Bunting Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83077/women-in-urban-agriculture-equity-innovation-and-sustainable-food-processing