ABSTRACT
The study estimated the
efficiency of resource use among urban waterleaf farmers in Akwa Ibom State
using a sample of 60 respondents that were randomly selected (20) from three
urban centers in the state. Interview schedules and structured questionnaires
were administered to elicit information from the respondents. Data were
analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and gross margin.
The results showed that, most (85%) farmers were within the economically active
age bracket (21-50yrs). All the farmers were female with a mean house hold size
of eight. Majority (90%) of the farmers were literate with a mean farming
experience of 8.5 years. The average farm size was 0.065ha, and waterleaf was
planted as a sole crop to obtain high output. The multiple regression analysis
showed that educational level, household size, farming experience, quantity of
manure, labour and farm size positively and significantly influenced the output
of waterleaf in the study area. The efficiency ratios of farm size (28.68),
manure (42.11) and labour (0.91), showed that waterleaf farmers were
inefficient in the use of these resources. Land resource and manure were
underutilized, while labour was over- utilized. Gross margin analysis showed
that farmers made profit (Gross margin = N 287,252.52 per hectare). Lack
of access to credit facilities was the farmer’s major constraints. It is
therefore recommended that credit facilities should be provided to the urban
farmers, and extension agent should take advantage of the literate farmers to
disseminate research information.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
information
Urbanization is one of the
major issues facing mankind today and is in its extent unique in world history
(RUAF, 2007). In Nigeria, agriculture is the dominant economic activity (CBN,
2003). In recent years, urbanization has led to an increasing loss of
agricultural land. Urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for
the developing countries as a whole. There is an indication that the challenges
of urbanization out-weigh its opportunities in these regions. This may be
because urbanization has not yet been matched with infrastructural and economic
development. This in turn leads to urban poverty and food insecurity (Drescher,
2001).
Enete and
Achike (2008), opined that sub-Saharan Africa is the only region of the world
where agricultural output has been trailing population growth for most of the
last three decades. They further noted that agricultural production has not
only been unstable in the region but has once again resumed a steady decline
since 1998 (1998-2002). This may be due to rural-urban migration and low
productivity in agriculture.
It is
expected that by 2020, 85% of the poor in Latin America and about 40-45% of the
poor in Africa will be concentrated in towns and cities (RUAF, 2007).
Consequently, many city dwellers will be faced with the reality of
unemployment, inadequate food and shelter, and they are powerless to influence
the decisions affecting their lives. These are all dimensions of poverty of
which hunger is the most fundamental (World Bank, 2000).
Urban
Agriculture which is the growing of crops and raising of animals within and
around cities (Drescher,2003), has emerged as a strategic imperative for
developing countries (Drakakris-Smith,1997). Urban agriculture (UA) is not a
new or recent invention. Agricultural activities within city limits have
existed since the first urban populations were established thousands of years
ago (Drescher, 2002). It is only recently that UA has become a systematic focus
of research and development attention, as its scale and importance in an
urbanizing world become increasingly recognized (Van Vechuizen, Prain and
Dezeeuw, 2001). This is essentially due to its potential for poverty reduction,
economic empowerment, and household food security.
According to
UNDP (1996), Urban Agriculture refers to an activity that produces, processes,
and markets food and other products, on land and water in urban and peri-urban
areas, applying intensive production methods, and using natural resources and
urban wastes, to yield a diversity of crops and livestock. Its important
sectors include horticulture, livestock, fodder milk production, aquaculture and
forestry (FAO, 2002),
It is estimated that 800 million people are engaged in
urban agriculture world wide of which 200 million are considered to be market
producers, employing 150 million people fulltime (UNDP 1996). These Urban
farmers produce substantial amount of food for urban consumers. Armar-Klemesu
(2000) noted that, as at 1993, 15-20% of the World’s food was produced in the
urban areas. Other research information from African cities are, Dakar;
produces 60% of the national vegetable consumption whilst urban poultry
production...
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