Analysis of Urban agriculture as a tool for increasing food security within Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

There have been increased trend of rural-urban migration that has created food security issues and necessitated growth of urban agriculture. Recognizing the limited information on the urban agriculture in Kenya, this study analyzed urban agriculture as a tool of increasing food security within Eldoret Town. Despite growing awareness about urban agriculture as a strategy of food security and poverty alleviation in urban areas, it remains an informal undertaking and is not integrated to urban and agricultural policies in Kenya, making it vulnerable and its sustainability is jeopardized. The study objectives were: To determine the extent to which urban households practice agriculture in Eldoret Town, evaluate the contribution of urban agriculture to food production and income in Eldoret and, to identify technological innovations used in urban agriculture in Eldoret town. The study relied on sustainable livelihood approach propounded by Carney (2003), which focuses on the link between poverty and food production for the poor urban farmers. From a target population of 3550, only 188 were purposely sampled (those who practiced agriculture) and 10 key informants were used. The study was based on mixed research design using interviews, questionnaires and content analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis was utilised. Results indicate that most farmers practiced mixed farming for subsistence consumption and for sale in small sized farmlands. Maize was grown by highest number of respondents (54.3%) followed by vegetables (46.2%) while wheat (33.2%), fruits (24.8%), beans (15.4%), and cowpeas (4.1%) were also grown. At the same time, majority of the farmers owned poultry (75.5%), dairy cattle (59.3%), and goats (31.5%). Urban agriculture was practiced for food (68.2%), or to increase household income (49.6%). Individual farmers produced 315.2 ± 37.2 kgs of maize, 110.4 ± 25.4 kgs of vegetables, and 20.1 ± 2.7 kgs of cowpeas. But in terms of overall production among all households, the production of maize was 105,943 ± 14,239 kg, followed by vegetables (28,641 ± 4,477 kgs) whiles the harvest of wheat, cowpeas (2,531 ± 189.2 kgs) and beans (5,088 ± 477 kgs) were low. Beef production was estimated at 25 tonnes followed by eggs, milk and chicken (range 6 tonnes to 10 tonnes). In terms of individual household income, vegetable yielded the highest income (Kshs 3.02 ± 0.32 million) followed by fruits (Kshs 2.41 ± 0.21) and then maize (Kshs 2.01 ± 0.11) whiles income from wheat, bean and cowpeas were low (Kshs 540,000 to 130,000). Beef contributed Kshs 9500 ± 120 to income, followed by chicken (Kshs 7000 ± 870) and income from milk was Kshs 6020 ± 860. In terms of overall income from the all the farmers, the highest contribution was from chicken and beef estimated at Kshs 1.2 million followed by milk (Kshs 1.02 million) while income from eggs, honey and bacon were low (estimated at below Kshs 300,000). The innovations among the urban farmers were in the areas of improved crop varieties/breeds, agrochemicals/veterinary drugs, machinery, water, feed, housing, land preparation, supermarket, grocery point, credit management, urban market and ICT (mobile phone). The study concludes that Urban Agriculture is an important engagement among the urban dwellers because it provides food, employment and income. However government's support, farming skills and modern farm inputs are totally lacking and, generally unsupportive towns' bylaws. The recommends that; the county authority to come up with supportive bylaws to urban agriculture, integrate urban agriculture to Eldoret development plan in the future and encourage livestock and animal diversification among urban farmers' while maintaining aesthetics of the town. Further research on the effect of urban policies on urban agriculture is also recommended by the study.