ASSESSMENT OF URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL (AMAC), NIGERIA

Abstract

This study seeks to carry out assessment of urban agriculture in AMAC, Abuja with specific focus on determining the socio-demographic characteristics of the farmers, areas and crops planted, peculiarities of the farm, opportunities, and challenges of urban agriculture in Abuja. The study design is a cross-sectional study design with consecutive sampling method and 134 sample size was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS with univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis conducted. Majority of the farm owners are male while other are females with ratio of 7:3. The farm owners are majorly within the ages of 46-55 years; oldest age group is 56 and above. Most of the farm owners are married, only few of them are single. Most of the farm owners are not educated and some of them have secondary or primary education. Majority of them are married and mostly have 4-6 persons in their households. Most of their income per harvest falls between N201,000- N300,000, most of the respondents lease their lands for farming activities. The farmer owners’ educational level and Income per month have strong relationship with the revenue/profit margin of the farm. However, those with secondary education, non-formal education and those that earn between N301,000- N400,000 have higher likelihood of high revenue/profit margin. Those that earn between N101,000 - N200,000 have less likelihood to have high revenue/profit margin. Location of farm has strong relationship with revenue/profit margin of the farm in AMAC, Abuja. However, those that are based in Apo and Karu have higher likelihood of generating higher revenue/profit margin. Time of harvest, degree of participation, farming method, water system, customers mean of getting farm produce and source of capital are the peculiarities of urban farming in AMAC, Abuja. Security challenge have been exceedingly rare among the farmers, its only few that have witnessed such, the security in urban center is quite tight. Encroachment of farms is rare, only few farms have such experienced. Many of the farmers claimed the market is not so accessible. Security challenge, access to loan, grants and subvention and customers patronage are the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture in AMAC, Abuja. However, those that have witnessed security challenge are less likely to have high revenue/profit margin, those that have access to loan, grants, and subvention, and those that have high customer patronage have higher likelihood to have high revenue/profit margin.