Analysis Of The Effects Of The Forms And Drivers Of Urban Agriculture On The Socio-Economic Status Of Farmers In Kampala And Mbarara Cities, Uganda

Abstract

The study analyzed the effects of the forms and drivers of urban agriculture on the socio economic status of farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities, Uganda. The objectives were to; examine the influence of forms of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of farmers, examine the influence drivers of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of farmers, establish the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on the socio-economic status of urban farmers and establish the impact ofpolicy directives in urban agriculture on the socio economic status of urban farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. The study adopted a cross sectional design combined with qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. A multistage cluster sampling technique involving both simple random and purposive approaches was employed to get the required number of respondents. Using questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and observations, data was gathered from a sample of 384 respondents. Microsoft EXCEL and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 21.0 were used to analyze the data and produce both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found a strong association between forms of urban agriculture and socio economic status of the urban farmers in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. Household socio economic status was substantially correlated with subsistence farms (x2 = 15.615, p< 0.001), commercial farms (x2 = 18.907, p< 0.001), and tourist farms (x2 = 7.784, p< 0.005). Subsistence farms (backyard, roadside and rooftop gardens), commercial farms (zero, poultry, fish farms and crop farms), and tourist farms (demonstration sites) had a significant influence on household food and income security of Urban farmers. The study also discovered a positive significant relationship between drivers of urban agriculture and socio-economic status of the urban farmers with access to market(P<0.002), Access to financial grants (p<0.012), Access to capital (P<0.029) and value addition (P<0.021). Further, the study discovered a significant relationship between farmers’ socio demographic characteristics and their socio economic status where by Age (P<0.002), Gender (p<0.038), Religion (P<0.001), source of livelihood (p<0.005) and lastly group membership (0.002).The study further established appropriate policy directions for urban agriculture in Kampala and Mbarara Cities. The study confirmed a significant influence of the forms and drivers of urban agriculture on socio economic status of urban farmers. Also the study concluded that there a significant influence socio demographic characteristics on social economic status of urban farmers. The further confirms the need for harmonized and xv appropriate policy framework for urban agriculture development. The study recommended promotion of cost effective technologies to solve the problem of land shortage in urban areas. Also government must invest in urban farming demonstration sites and education centres to improve knowledge on urban farming. Also city authorities also should encourage urban farmers to form groups for marketing, value addition, and organic recycling of wastes. Government should also invest in urban agriculture forms that are not widely practiced such as agritourism, fish farming, piggery, rabbits farming and also formulate urban agriculture policy that is applicable to all urban centers.