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LIVELIHOOD ASPECTS OF URBAN AND PERI-‐URBAN FARMING: A
UGANDAN PERSPECTIVE.
Prof E. Katunguka-‐Rwakishaya Kyambogo University, Kampala
IntroducPon • Urban and peri-‐urban farming/agriculture is as old as the era of
urbanisa7on
• Escalated in 1970 in Uganda following Expulsion of Asians and Africanisa7on of the economy
• Increased unemployment and high level of poverty en7ced many to engage in agricultural prac7ces to improve their household incomes
• This was exacerbated by world bank retrenchment programmes, removal of food subsidies and introduc7on of user charges in health and educa7on sectors (more poverty)
• Recently rural to urban migra7on in Uganda has increased resul7ng in reduced human power for food produc7on in the rural areas and increased demand for food in urban centres.
• Situa7on geKng worse with increased youth unemployment and deteriora7ng social ameni7es for rural folk.
URBAN AGRICULTURE: PRACTICE
• Agricultural ac7vi7es whether formal or informal carried out within or near ci7es or urban centres
• Ac7vi7es can be anywhere e.g backyard, along road sides, on roofs, along and between railway lines, along rivers, under electricity power lines.
• Industry that grows/produces, processes and distributes a diversity of food and non food products to the urban and peri-‐urban popula7on
URBAN AGRICULTURE:NEW PARADIGM
• For a long 7me, regarded as a survival livelihood for the poverty stricken urban and peri urban dwellers
• Paradigm shiN and is now becoming a trade of the wealthy and well resourced individuals and households
• In Uganda, Na7onal Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Plan for Modernisa7on of Agriculture, Prosperity for all has brought in large scale urban farming by well to do individuals or groups
• Both the poor and the rich are now prac7cing this farming. In some cases, the prac7ce is a hobby, or for supplemen7ng sources of food or income diversifica7on, but not the main source of livelihood.
UA: OPPORTUNITIES
• Major source of urban food system to ensure food and nutri7on security (high value vegetables, nutri7ous crops, livestock products); hence control of hunger and malnutri7on among urban dwellers
• Strategy for earning extra income to fight poverty hence security against household poverty due to sustainable ready market for products
• Indirect social benefits e.g ability to pay school fees, acquiring more assets, accessing beWer health care, food giNs hence strengthening reciprocity and social networks
UA: OpportuniPes (cont—d)
• Other livelihood strategies: recycling industry, nurseries for high value crops, liVestock breeding
• Integrated systems: crop-‐livestock systems, aquaculture-‐livestock-‐crop systems, integrated crop-‐forestry systems play a big role towards livelihoods of urban dwellers
• Source of secure jobs for urban dwellers: informal care takers, food processors, vendors, wholesalers, small industries involved in food and beverages
Greater benefits to women
• More women engaged in this farming ac7vity than men
• Women involved in growing crops, rearing livestock for food and for sale
• Gained economic independence and greatly improved standards of living
• Able to look aNer their families, pay school fees for their children and ensure food security especially in female-‐headed households.
Policy and legal framework • Local government act (1997) empowers local authori7es to enact bye laws to regulate farming ac7vi7es within their areas.
• Kampala city Urban Agriculture ordinance 2001 provides for licencing, control and regula7on of UA
• KCCA has legalised UA, adopted central government policies on agricultural sector and advocated for mainstreaming UA in the Na7onal Agricultural Policies.
• KCCA has established Produc7on and Marke7ng department to support and guide communi7es engaged inn UA to ensure household nutri7on and food security.
Conclusion • UA is a common prac7ce among majority of urban dwellers • Prac7ced by both poor and wealthy on a commercial scale • Opportuni7es associated with UA include increased incomes, more
sources of income, employment opportuni7es and small scale industry development
• Appropriate policies have been put in place to promote and regulate UA. This does not cover all areas of concern e.g public health and disposal of wastes.
• Informa7on is also widely available to farmers to enhance produc7on and marke7ng strategies and is geKng beWer
• UA has been mainstreamed in government policies aimed at poverty eradica7on, increased household incomes and food and nutri7on security in Uganda but more needs to be done.