The team has now finalised our survey of 747 citizens living in Sofia about their attitudes towards urban agriculture activities in the capital. The sociological survey was carried out in three districts of the city: a central one (Triaditza), a residential one (Mladost) and a peri-urban one (Pancharevo). The sample for the survey is representative for each of the three districts.
Do the citizens of Sofia believe there is a place for agriculture in the city?
Do they know what urban agriculture means?
Could growing our own food help us feel better in our daily lives?
These are just a few of the questions our survey gives answers to.
General attitudes
Our results show that urban agriculture is not a widely known phenomenon: 40% of the respondents cannot imagine anything when they hear the concept. On the other hand, when presented with the idea about it, about half of the interviewed say they would get involved with urban agriculture activities at certain conditions. The most common obstacle to do that is the lack of free time.
More than half of the interviewed citizens think that it is appropriate to grow plants for food in the city, and 80% support the idea that children in kindergartens and schools cultivate a plot of land where they grow vegetables.
Practising urban agriculture
A little over a quarter of the residents of the three studied districts declare they are involved in urban or peri-urban agriculture, most often growing herbs, vegetables and flowers. The two most commonly mentioned reasons for these activities are related to the desire to produce and consume healthy products and the pleasure of producing their own food. Just under 20% of the residents of the three districts have done agricultural work in rural settings before, and about 8% still do so.
Some effects of gardening
More than 60% of those involved in agriculture (both in and outside the city) say they feel much healthier and more vibrant after their gardening activities. An even greater impact of these activities is reported in terms of psychological and mental relaxation, with three out of every four gardener reporting a strong positive effect their agricultural work on their mental well-being.
If you want to learn more about the survey or want to share your opinion, please, contact us by following this link.
