URBAN FARMING IN VACANT LANDS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: A STUDY OF GREENHOUSE FARMING IN AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY, OYO TOWN, NIGERIA

The paper highlights the role of urban farming in vacant spaces in tertiary institutions, the need to support the local food economy and contribute nutritious and fresh foods to needy students and staff.  Materials for the study were gathered through secondary data from journals, books and personal interview which centred on a prepared schedule held with the farm manager of the greenhouse project as well as extensive viability analyses to prove worthwhileness of the project.  The study revealed that many backyard farming activities are taking place in vacant spaces in various tertiary institutions by resident and non-resident staff households.  The viability techniques of cash flow forecast, profit and loss account and discounted cash flow analyses carried out on the greenhouse project proved its viability as all the analyses gave positive results.  For example, the cash flow forecast showed a surplus before tax of N39,394.16 from year 3 and a break even point at year 6 as the accumulated surplus of N275,346.11 surpassed the accumulated deficit of –N223,150.95.  The profit and loss account of the project also showed an accrued surplus before tax of N490,969.67 from year 2 while the discounted cash flow analysis showed a net present value (NPV) of +N885,339.91 in life of the project.  The paper, therefore, supports the activity as a positive measure in the use of idle spaces in tertiary institutions.  It concludes that policies be put in place to officially enumerate and assign vacant spaces for proper farming activities to enhance food security among staff households and students in the tertiary institutions.  It recommends that urban farming activities be formally recognized and land devoted for that purpose through policy making, planning and curriculum changes in the various tertiary institutions.

 

Key Words: Urban farming, Land accessibility, Food security, Tertiary institution

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v12i5.7

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