Urban Agriculture for Socio-economic Development in Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2013
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Faculty of Social Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba
Abstract
Urban farming contributes significantly to food security and improvement in standard of living of urban households in most developing countries including Nigeria. The thrust of this paper is to compare involvement and non involvement of people in urban and peri- urban agriculture in Offa town. For the study, about 120 farm families and 120 non-farm families were sampled with the use of questionnaire administration. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistical technique such as frequency tables and percentages. The results revealed that families who were engaged in urban agriculture were involved in it both on part-time and full-time bases in order to supplement the income from their primary occupation, as a source of employment, gain access to nutritious food, start new businesses and also for food security. This in turn has improved their wellbeing when compared with non-farm families. Whereas, the non-farm families could not generate additional income that can be used for basic necessities of life and most of them do not have savings because they live on meager income obtained from their primary occupations. It was further revealed that some farmers especially women were engaged mainly in vegetable production and this fetched them an average of N50, 000 monthly during the period of research. Conclusion was based on recommendations that urban agriculture should be given high priority in development plans and should be given official recognition by the government.