Abstract

Growing population and increasing urbanisation is one of the biggest challenges of the next decade in terms of food production and consumption. The study assessed the status of urban agriculture in six cities by examining the farm characteristics and motivating factors associated with farmers’ involvement in urban agriculture. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 335 respondents in Edo and Oyo States, with the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Data obtained were described with frequency counts, percentage, and mean while independent t test was used to make inferences. Results showed that arable crop production (64 %) was the common enterprise among urban farmers and family labour was the major source used. The most common farm locations were open space away from home and backyard and the major factor for practicing urban farming was income generation. Family/friends was the major information source among urban farmers. Lack of credit was the only significant problem among farmers in Edo and Oyo States while pests and diseases was a significant problem only among Oyo State urban farmers. It was further showed that Oyo (Mean = 28.01) significantly different from Edo state (24.50) in their level of involvement in urban farming. It was concluded that farmers in Oyo State involved more in urban agriculture compared to their counterparts in Edo State. It was recommended that agricultural extension programmes should be intensified in urban agriculture especially in Edo State where their level of involvement was lower.

Key Words:Status, Urban agriculture, Farm characteristics, Motivational factors, Arable crops, Comparative and involvement