An Assessment of the Role of Urban Agriculture in Promoting Household Food Security in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Globally, Urban Agriculture (UA), which is an increasing basis of livelihood for many people, is constantly increasing in significance. It involves crop cultivation, livestock keeping. The study was in Nakuru Municipality, which is located within the County of Nakuru whose major economic activity is industrial and agricultural based. The scope of study was limited to residents practicing urban agriculture, which included production of various crops, livestock such as dairy, and poultry within Nakuru municipality. The target population was residents practicing urban agriculture within Nakuru Municipality. A Cross Sectional Survey Design was used to collect data from purposively selected estates within Nakuru Municipality. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected using questioners’ and Face to Face interviews. A range of low, medium, and high income locations in Nakuru Municipality where urban agriculture is practiced were identified and these were Manyani and Bondeni for the low income, Mawanga and Kivumbini for the middle income and Racecourse and Kiamunyi for the high income residents. Random sampling method was used to select 100 farmers while the other 27 respondents that included policy makers and other stake holders were purposively selected. Data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The collected data was then processed and analyzed qualitatively with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings were; there is an indication that land owned by majority of urban farmers is limited, a positive correlation between total acreage and production. All the income categories were involved in urban agriculture. There is a challenge in marketing, transportation of produce, payment of license fees, competition, and storage of agricultural produce. Urban agriculture plays a significant role in promoting food security. The urban farmers were involved in production of various crops and livestock such as dairy, horticulture and poultry. There was limited support from institutions towards urban farming in Nakuru Municipality. Due to small land sizes there is need to develop and promote specific technologies for urban agriculture. This study recommends that policy makers should make policies that enhance urban agriculture. Extension and other service providers should develop initiatives for capacity building, financial support, credit, market, and technologies targeting urban farmers.