A sustainable urban farming index assessment model for evaluating food productivity that applies multi-criteria decision-making methods — A case study in Malaysia

Abstract

Governments need a reliable farming technique to feed the ever-growing population of the world, which is sustainable and responsive to the environment, ecosystem, society, and economy. Urban farming can significantly protect urban lands while balancing the natural environment for self-reliant food production. The essential need for a tool able to quantify and evaluate the performance of the urban farm's sustainable food production has persuaded us to develop the Sustainable Urban Farming Index Assessment (SUFIA) Model. The research has applied the critical literature review and identified three criteria and fifteen sub-criteria handling sustainable farming, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) measured the weights. AHP revealed reducing air pollution (WC1.1.=29.3224), soil health and water cleaning (WC1.2.=29.2454), and food sovereignty (WC3.1.=25.6442) are critical in food productivity. The model was implemented to a case, Zenxin Organic Farm, for validation. The case earned Grade C, means, Zenxin Organic Farm is a usable urban farm while some features need substantial improvements regarding soil health and water cleaning, dynamic site design and selection, and supportive community environment. The model is a universal and multi-functional decision support tool that helps urban managers, local authorities, and policy-makers to minimize urban's food production impairments through a systematic and consensus-wise decision-making mechanism.