Peri-urban commercial farmers shaping food security: challenges and adaptation strategies

English (OpenAlex)

Introduction This study aims to identify the challenges faced by peri-urban commercial farmers in their production, distribution, sales, and marketing processes, and to examine how their adaptation strategies shape food availability and accessibility. Methods Using Eskişehir (Türkiye) as a case study, selected due to its agriculturally fertile plain and significant concentration of registered farmers in the urban and peri-urban (UPA) area, the research is based on semi-structured interviews with 46 peri-urban commercial farmers and representatives of four producer cooperatives. Participants were selected through snowball sampling, and the sample size was determined according to the principle of theoretical saturation. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis, and the findings were comparatively interpreted according to production type, particularly crop, livestock and other production. Results The findings indicate that commercial farmers within Eskişehir's peri-urban agrifood system face challenges related to UPA growth, environmental degradation, input costs, and other issues affecting food availability, as well as institutional processes, organizational deficiencies, and insufficient sales areas affecting food accessibility. The results show that farmers develop different adaptation mechanisms depending on their type of production. Discussion Theoretically, this study contributes to food security theory by addressing the varying challenges and adaptation strategies of peri-urban commercial farmers across crop, livestock, and other production types. Practically, it highlights the urgent need for governance strategies that support peri-urban commercial farmers and strengthen peri-urban agrifood systems.